AN OVERVIEW ON VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS

Use of biological warfare agents is an emerging threat to mankind. In 21st century awareness and threat regarding these biological warfare agents is increasing.These agents are used in war or for terrorist attack. Various toxins and microorganisms are used as biowarfare agents to cause harm to humans, animals and plants. They are classified under various categories. They can be used in various forms as sprays, as explosive or food or water contamination. Biowarfare agents are difficult to identify and can be easily transported and delivered which makes them more favorable tool for destruction for terrorist operations or to gain political advantage. To detect such agents, the diseases associated with them should be recognized using various techniques. Protective measures should be taken according to the symptoms of the diseases related and their contagious nature. This review on the biological warfare agents will provide information on the biowarfare agents, their mode of transmission and also the detection systems available to detect them.