Introduce, Discuss and Analyze the Anthrax Attacks essays

Introduce, Discuss and Analyze the Anthrax Attacks essays The anthrax attacks of Fall 2001 were especially frightening because as they continued, it became increasingly clear they originated inside the United States, and there seemed little way to stop them. They were extremely frightening not because of a huge death toll, but because they could happen anywhere, at any time, and the implications for further terrorism seemed explicit. It was the first use of biological weapons in our country, and it was a frightening wake up call to national security and American citizens that we really are not that immune to biological weapons What is anthrax' Anthrax is a disease that is spread by a one-celled organism called "Bacillus anthracis." Anthrax does not spread from one person to another, it spreads via the bacterium, and this is a deadly disease that can attack the lungs, intestines, or skin. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) classifies anthrax as a "Category A agent" because these agents are the most dangerous to people, and they can spread. The CDC reports Category A's, "pose the greatest possible threat for a bad effect on public health, may spread across a large area or need public awareness, and need a great deal of planning to protect the public's health" (CDC). Anthrax meets all of these criteria and more, as the anthrax attacks on the United States clearly indicated. The skin form of anthrax is the least deadly, while the inhaled form is the most deadly. Anthrax can be carried in animals, and humans can become infected with anthrax from animals by inhaling the bacterium or by eating meat that is not cooked enough from infected animals (CDC) - however, this is rare. Anthrax used as a weapon in terrorist attacks is much more likely. Because the symptoms of the two most serious forms of anthrax, gastrointestinal and inhaled are so much like cold and flu symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose, and treatment must be...