Iraqi Biological Warfare (BW) Agents and Their Effects
Filename:0pgv083.90p
DIA/OICC
22 Oct 90
Background Paper for Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy and
Resources
SUBJECT: Iraqi Biological Warfare (BW) Agents and Their Effects
1. PURPOSE: To provide Mr. I. Lewis Libby with background
information on the battlefield effects of Iraqi BW agents,
potential use of BW by terrorists, immunization against BW, and
availability and reliability of BW detection equipment.
2. POINTS OF MAJOR INTEREST:
a. Tactical Use of BW: Iraq is assessed to have the
BW agents anthrax and botulinum toxin. Iraqi weapon systems for
BW delivery are unconfirmed, but could include bombs, spray tanks,
artillery, or missiles.
-The use of anthrax in a tactical battlefield situation is
not likely due to the delayed onset of symptoms: 1 to 6 days for
inhalation of anthrax spores. The first symptoms are
nonspecific--fatigue and a mild fever, followed by a temporary
recovery and then reversal to sudden development of respiratory
distress. Death occurs within 24 hours after the onset of the
second phase. Anthrax spores can live in the soil for
decades, thus this agent is an excellent long term area denial
weapon.
-Botulinum toxin could be used as a tactical BW weapon
when a delayed effect is required: onset of symptoms is 6-12 hours
for inhalation of botulinum toxin. By the time botulinum toxin
symptoms develop--about 12 hours after aerosol exposure--treatment
has little chance of success. The agent affects the nervous system
causing dizziness, dilated and nonreactive pupils, progressive
muscular weakness, and death.
-A major concern is the dissemination of botulinum toxin
on a dust composed of silica or other materials which may
penetrate clothing or masks and significantly increase the
possibility of exposure on the battlefield.
b. Strategic Use of BW: Iraq is more likely to use BW
agents strategically. Delivery means could include aerosol
generators, spray tanks, or possibly bombs or missiles. They
could be used against civilian populations or rear troop
concentrations, or as an aerial denial weapon against oil fields
or other industrial or military targets. A strategic BW attack
could result in large-scale fatalities and casualties.
c. Terrorist Use of BW: BW agents could also be
delivered by terrorist groups or by Iraqi clandestine services
against military or civilian targets. Botulinum toxin and to a
lesser degree, anthrax bacteria lend themselves to covert
dissemination because even small amounts placed in water or food
supplies are sufficient to kill large numbers of people.
Saboteurs could contaminate water or food supplies near U.S. or
other Western military encampments should hostilities appear
imminent. BW delivery could also be accomplished by use of a
truck,
plane, helicopter, drone, or ship equipped with an aerosol
generator to create a large toxic cloud upwind of the target. The
difficulty in distinguishing between a naturally occurring
epidemic and covert dissemination would provide sufficient cover
for Iraq to use BW without suffering retaliation.
d. BW Protection: Masks will probably offer sufficient
protection against known aerolized BW agents. However, there is a
possibility of re-aerolizing the agent if the mask is not
completely decontaminated before being removed. Iraq may have the
capability to deliver a BW agent bound to a dust-like carrier
which could penetrate mask filters and permeable protective suits.
Such an agent could work its way through the fabric of protective
clothing and become imbedded in the skin.
e. BW Prophylaxes: Effective vaccines for anthrax are
available. Anthrax responds well to penicillin if the drug is
given shortly after the onset of symptoms. Immunization to
botulinum is possible but requires multiple injections of
inactivated toxins over a period of several months. There are
antisera to botulinum toxins, but they are effective only if
administered before the onset of symptoms.
f. BW Detection: Rapid field detection methods do not
exist for anthrax or botulinum toxin.
3. EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS:
Iraq will continue to conduct research and development with
BW agents and could expand to other infectious agents.
Weaponization of BW agents will probably use many of the same
techniques and equipment as chemical agents and will therefore be
very difficult to detect. Iraq clearly has the capability to
weaponize some agents now.
COORDINATION: None.
PREPARED BY: APPROVED BY:
[ (b)(6) ]
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