A biological attack on USA would likely become a pandemic

[quote]I'm citing medical research you're citing people who were just as likely to attribute it to the devil, kill cats as witches' familiars, and thereby worsen the effect by killing the cats who could kill the rats that carried the fleas that spread the plague that lived in the house that jack built.[/quote] Who is most likely to know how bubonic plaque spread in the Middle Ages, persons who saw it or persons who think they know what happened 800 years ago? If you have the fleas that in some cases cause bubonic plaque, another person who touches you will also be attacked by the fleas. You touch someone, the fleas come and start eating you (you won't feel it, but that's what happens. When they eat you, you will get the disease. There are, of course, another means of getting bubonic plaque.) [quote]The fact is the most likely biological attack weapons are not going to be highly contagious.[/quote] Yes, there are such non-contagius diseases as anthrax. *However*, there are also dangerous contagius diseases like bubonic plaque, plaque, and smallpox. To name a few. In this debate, I'm talking about a contagius disease. I acknowledge the fact that anthrax is not contagius and has no chance of becoming a pandemic (unless major food and water supplies are powdered with the disease). [quote]Saying that IF they used smallpox, or IF they used Ebola (which there is a vaccine for, we just don't know if it'll work because it was developed towards the end of the last outbreak), then it would be pandemic is a moot point. The question is what kind of biological attack on the US would be the most likely? The answer is anthrax and no, that wouldn't be a pandemic. In fact, of all the biological attacks ever done on the US 100% have been anthrax based.[/quote] 1. So, let's suppose that all biological attacks on the USA have, indeed, been anthrax. What does it really prove? A: Only that we have not yet been struck by contagius diseases. It doesn't mean we never will. It's kind of the same as saying: "I've lived for a hundred years and I haven't died yet. That must mean I will never die." 2. [http://en.wikipedia.org...] [quote]The biggest problem with the vaccine is that, unless the patient is given it near the onset of the virus (1-4 days after the symptoms begin), there will be too much damage to the human body to repair...[/quote] It may work. Or it may not. The biggest problem is that after someone is infected, there will be little to do. So, it has the problem of any vaccine. It doesn't work after the exposure. That would mean that even IF mass vaccinations would be succesful, there would be mass casualties. 3. [quote]What kind of outbreak would be the most probable? Anthrax.[/quote] CIA has caught terrorists making sophisticated biological weapons that could have resulted in an epidemic. There may happen 100 anthrax attacks and 1 ebola attack. The one would be enough for a pandemic. It doesn't matter how many times you dodge a bullet, it only matters whether or not you don't dodge a bullet. [quote]However, moving along, Ebola transmits through contact with infected fluids and contact with mucus membranes. Although theoretically possible it transmit airborne it is quite difficult in practice. As such the several outbreaks of Ebola within the United States in Virgina and Texas were minor and larger outbreaks could easily be contained. "Avoid fluid contact and you'll live" would suffice to save and prevent Ebola from becoming pandemic along with government set quarantines of infected areas. You would be amazed how many diseases can be stopped by guys with guns saying "Get the hell back in that city or we shoot you!"[/quote] When a disease is finally spotted half of the world's countries have at least one infected. The country of origin has most likely got over 90% infected, depending on the duration of the incubation period. After quarantines start, there are already so many infected there is no chance in succeeding. [quote]Smallpox on the otherhand is airborne. It's deadly and despite claims that it's completely eradicated somebody might be able to dig some of it up. However, it only becomes contagious after a rash appears and after a long gestation period.[/quote] So, a long incubation period. The longer it is, the longer the disease has to spread. After the first symptoms occur, half the world is infected (yeah, maybe a little exaggerated, but still...) "The fatality rate for flat-type is 90% or greater and nearly 100% is observed in cases of hemorrhagic smallpox," according to Wikipedia. Sure, there are other types of smallpox, but... Okay. Let's say someone with a medical degree were to get his hands on bubonic plaque. Now, by doing something with the genes he could easily manufacture the disease to be airborne, resistant to antibiotics, etc. He could also lenghten the incubation period. Now he would have the perfect weapon that is not likely curable, easily transmissable and has a long incubation period. So, he injects the bacteria into himself and walks around New York, infecting 100 people who infect their families, co-workers, anyone who they come in contact with and the second wave of infected infect anyone they come in contact with and they infect anyone who they come in contact with and the circle goes on and on. When the first symptoms appear, the infection is already in Europe, Asia, Africa, S. America, N. America etc. Once we reach this phase, the civilization is thrown back a thousand years. Survivors isolate themselves from anyone else for years. Pandemic.