Severe botulism causes respiratory failure and paralysis. Tularemia is a bacteria. It causes non-lethal diseases that are extremely incapacitating such as weight loss, fever, headaches and often pneumonia. Chemical agents include nerve agents, toxins, mustard agents and others. Two well-known nerve agents are VX and sarin.
Nerve agents affect the transmission of nerve impulses in the nervous system.
Symptoms depend on the concentration of dosage and can range from mild poisoning to death. There are both preventive antidotes as well as antidotes that can work if given to the victim in time. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons offers more information on nerve agents. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than ten countries have, or are developing biological warfare programs. It is the 1972 multi-lateral treaty that bans offensive biological weapons.