Basic Level Pre-Course Reading
Basic Level Pre-Course Reading
Basic Level Pre-Course Reading
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Chapter 6<br />
Casualty Management<br />
6.2.3 First Aid and Medical Treatment for Biological Agents<br />
Recognition of a biological attack is not immediate because the onset of<br />
symptoms is delayed. Laboratory confirmation and diagnosis also requires time.<br />
Consequently, there are no definitive “First Aid” measures that would be<br />
instituted over and above generally accepted patient care methods.<br />
Table 5 provides incubation periods, contagiousness factors, and patient<br />
treatment for the seven “high-risk” biological agents.<br />
Table 5<br />
Incubation, Contagiousness and Treatment for Biological Agents<br />
Agent Contagiousness Incubation Period Treatment Information<br />
Anthrax<br />
Plague<br />
Small Pox<br />
Tularemia<br />
Viral<br />
Hemorrhagic<br />
Fevers (VHFs)<br />
Anthrax is not<br />
contagious<br />
Pneumonic: contagious<br />
Bubonic: transmitted<br />
from rodents to humans<br />
through infected fleas<br />
Contagious from rash<br />
onset until all scabs are<br />
cleared<br />
Tularemia is not<br />
contagious<br />
Most are contagious<br />
throughout the duration<br />
of the illness<br />
1 – 60 days Antibiotic therapy<br />
- Ciprofloxacin<br />
- Doxycycline<br />
Vaccine<br />
- Limited availability in Canada (not for<br />
general public)<br />
1 – 10 days bubonic<br />
1– 6 days inhalational<br />
Average 12 days<br />
(range 7 – 17 days)<br />
1–14 days, usually 3-5<br />
days (inhalational)<br />
Route and dosedependent<br />
2 – 21 days depending on<br />
the individual<br />
organism/disease<br />
Antibiotic therapy<br />
- Streptomycin: drug of choice<br />
- Gentamicin, Doxycycline,<br />
Ciprofloxacin<br />
Prophylaxis<br />
- Vaccine for bubonic plague<br />
- Doxycycline<br />
Vaccine<br />
- No licensed vaccine in Canada<br />
Vaccine<br />
- Will be available for the general public<br />
in the event of an emergency<br />
- Vaccination within 4 days of exposure<br />
offers protection<br />
Antibiotic therapy<br />
- Doxycycline - Gentamycin<br />
- Ciprofloxacin - Streptomycin<br />
• Vaccine – For yellow fever only<br />
• Antiviral – Ribavirin - for some VHFs<br />
• Prophylaxis – None<br />
Botulism<br />
Botulism is not<br />
contagious<br />
2 hours to 8 days; route<br />
and dose dependent<br />
12 – 72 hours foodborne<br />
Ricin Ricin is not contagious Inhaled: 1 – 12 hours<br />
Ingested: 5 min – 1 h<br />
Antibiotic therapy<br />
- Not effective against Botulism but can<br />
be used to treat secondary infections<br />
+ antitoxin<br />
Prophylaxis<br />
- Antitoxin must be administered within<br />
48 hours<br />
Vaccine<br />
- Not for the general public<br />
• Antibiotic - None<br />
• Prophylaxis - None<br />
• No vaccine<br />
CBRN First Responder Training Program<br />
57<br />
<strong>Basic</strong> <strong>Level</strong> <strong>Course</strong>
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