DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction


Till the recent past, there was a widespread tendency to think about defence against chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents as unnecessary, as someone else's responsibility, or as simply too difficult.1 The threat of exposure to such agents has traditionally been considered a military issue. Several recent events, however, have demonstrated that civilians may also be exposed to these agents;2-4 and in the wake of recent atrocities there has been renewed apprehension regarding the deployment of chemical and biological weapons.5 Potential sources of exposure for civilian population include acts of terrorism, inadvertent releases from domestic chemical weapon stockpiles, direct military attacks, and industrial accidents. The hostile use of CBW agents would be likely to cause significant impact on health care systems. Patient might present in unprecedented numbers, and demands for intensive care might overwhelm medical resources. Special medications or vaccines, not generally available in standard pharmaceutical stocks, might be required. Health care professionals and laboratory personnel might need added physical protection. All these problems can be overwhelming for the health care system, but the efficacy of the medical response could be improved if health care professionals were better aware of symptoms, pathophysiology and treatment of agents likely to be used.5 There has been an increasing feeling amongst hospital clinicians that there should be more awareness and preparation about the management of casualties after a terrorist attack using CBW agents.5-7We present an overview of the risk that chemical and biological warfare agents presently pose to the civilian population; and a discussion of the presentation and principles of management of exposure to such agents.