Bioterrorist threats and attacks are still an issue of concern in the world. Biological agents are divided into three categories. The highest priority agents classified in category A pose a massive risk to public health and national security. The society should be prepared for this risk. Health professionals in the Czech Republic should be aware of the diseases caused by category A agents, which are not common in the country. In this context, the project of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic “Decontamination of the injured persons” has been implemented at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Palacký University, Olomouc. The article provides an overview of selected serious infectious risks and information on the project the aim of which is to create certified methodical procedures and guidelines on situations related to bioterrorism.

• Klíčová slova
• anthrax, bioterrorism, botulism, decontamination, ebola, plague, tularemia, variola,
• MeSH
• antrax MeSH
• bioterorismus * prevence a kontrola   trendy   MeSH
• civilní obrana * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mor MeSH
• pravé neštovice MeSH
• tularemie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Biological warfare agents are a group of pathogens and toxins of biological origin that can be potentially misused for military or criminal purposes. The present review attempts to summarize necessary knowledge about biological warfare agents. The historical aspects, examples of applications of these agents such as anthrax letters, biological weapons impact, a summary of biological warfare agents and epidemiology of infections are described. The last section tries to estimate future trends in research on biological warfare agents.

• MeSH
• biologická válka * dějiny   trendy   MeSH
• biologické bojové látky * dějiny   MeSH
• bioterorismus dějiny   trendy   MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiologie * dějiny   trendy   MeSH
• vojenská věda MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické bojové látky * MeSH

In recent years the fear of bioterrorism, of secret modernization and dissemination of biological weapons is increasing. Facts detected recently in Iran, Japan and the former Soviet Union provide evidence that there are countries and dissident groups which have access to modern technology of cultivation of dangerous pathogens as well as motivation for their use in acts of terrorism or war. The menace of biological terrorism is nowadays, as compared with the past, much greater. The most feared candidates as regards production of biological weapons are the pathogens of smallpox, anthrax and plague. The author discusses the serious character of possible events associated with terrorist dissemination of these pathogens. It is much esier to produce and use biological weapons than to create effective systems of defence against them. The menace of bioterrorism and bioweapons must not be exaggerated nor underestimated. The possible terrorist use of bioweapons is real. At present even the most advanced industrial countries cannot quarantee effective protection of their populations. Fortunately they are however aware of their present vulnerability. Our society is not equipped to cope with bioterrorism. Preparation and reinforcement of the health services, in particular of sections specialized in the control of infectious diseases is an effective step to divert the sequelae and suffering associated with terrorist use of biological agents. It is essential to be prepared. This calls for time and funds which unfortunately are not plentiful.

• MeSH
• antrax MeSH
• bioterorismus * prevence a kontrola   trendy   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mor MeSH
• pravé neštovice MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• anglický abstrakt MeSH
• časopisecké články MeSH