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Biological weapons are either living infectious organisms or non-living chemicals that are derived from a living organism. Technically, even something as innocent as a cold virus -- and as vicious as bubonic plague -- could be considered an agent of biological warfare.
Lethal biological weapons believed to be possessed by Iraq:
NAME |
RATE OF ACTION |
SYMPTOMS |
Anthrax
(bacillus antracis) |
1-6 days incubation, 3-5 days of illness |
Fever and fatigue, followed by respiratory problems; shock and death follow two days later |
Botulinum toxin |
A few hours/days of incubation, 24-72 hours of illness |
Weakness, dizziness, dry throat and mouth, blurred vision, weak muscles, respiratory failure that may lead to death |
Symptoms for the Sarin, Tabun and VX are the same: Skin contact or inhalation leads to disruption of the nervous system, leading to convulsions, paralysis and death.
Countries that U.S. intelligence sources say are making biological weapons:
 China
Egypt
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Libya
N. Korea
Syria
Taiwan
© Copyright 1998 Knight Ridder Interactive
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