Q10.
There is always an incubation period between
DETECTION OF BW AGENTS
the time an organism enters a body and the
There are no simple and rapid methods to detect
first signs of the symptoms of an illness.
BW agents such as those used to detect chemical
1.
True
agents and nuclear radiation. The positive detection
2.
False
and identification of a pathogen can be obtained only
by taking samples of the organisms, growing a culture
Q11.
An indication of biological warfare is when
of the organisms under laboratory conditions, and then
the number of casualties reaches epidemic
subjecting the culture to a variety of biochemical and
proportions within days, with most occurring
biological tests.
within the first 24 hours.
1.
True
Establishing definitively that a biological attack
has occurred is difficult. It is normal for a small
2.
False
percentage of the crew to be ill due to the effects of
naturally occurring pathogens. Occasionally, there are
outbreaks of illness that affect a larger percentage;
COUNTERMEASURES AT SEA
however, this could also be due to natural causes. Some
developments that could indicate that a biological
Learning Objective: Recall chemical and biological
warfare agent is responsible are as follows:
(CB) warfare countermeasures employed when a ship is
at sea to include closure, washdown, weathering, and
The number of casualties reaches epidemic
decontamination of personnel.
proportions within hours to 3 days, most within a
The basic purpose of CB countermeasures at sea is
24-hour period.
to deny entry or neutralize contamination so the
The infection rate or death rate is higher than
mission of the ship can be carried out without
normally expected for the disease.
endangering the life or health of assigned personnel.
The three kinds of ship protective action used when at
An outbreak of a disease occurs that is not
sea are closure, washdown, and weathering.
normally encountered in the area of the world in
which the ship is operating.
CLOSURE SYSTEM
Personnel working in a protected environment
The closure system protects the interior of the ship
do not contract the disease.
against the entry of aerosols and gases. Quick action on
closure is essential. It is not possible to predict the
Outbreak of multiple diseases occurs. To
results if the ship is closed after exposure because
confirm that a biological attack was
personnel below decks may be in even greater danger
responsible, samples collected by a biological
from agents trapped inside as a result of closure.
detection system, environmental samples
collected by repair parties, or biomedical
COUNTERMEASURES WASHDOWN
samples collected by medical personnel are
(CMWD) SYSTEM
crucial.
The CMWD system is a dry-pipe sprinkler system
REVIEW QUESTIONS
that provides a moving screen of seawater over the
weather surfaces of the ship. The flowing water carries
away most of the liquid and solid contaminants that fall
Q9.
Which of the following life forms is an
on the decks or bulkheads.
example of a disease vector?
Use of the CMWD system is a form of active
decontamination by physical removal. It is the best
1.
Bacteria
active decontamination option in the three respects.
2.
Fungi
They are as follows:
3.
Virus
1. It requires the least expenditure of manpower to
4.
Arachnid
operate.
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