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West Nile

West Nile Virus National and State Maps (U.S. Geological Survey) Since West Nile virus (WNV) was first isolated in 1937, it has been known to cause asymptomatic infection and fevers in humans in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. Human and animal infections were not documented in the Western Hemisphere until the 1999 outbreak in the New York City metropolitan area. Since then, the disease has spread across the United States. In 2003, WNV activity occurred in 46 states and caused illness in over 9,800 people.

The West Nile virus appears to be firmly established in the United States, and researchers expect its continued spread and entrenchment in wildlife populations. Since 1999, WNV has been detected in humans, horses, birds, or mosquitoes in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Only Hawai'i, Alaska, and Oregon have yet to report any detection of WNV in human, equine, bird, or mosquito populations.

Avian Influenza Strain in Four New Jersey Live Bird Markets Not Harmful to Humans (02/12/04)

FDA Clears First Test for West Nile Virus (Press Release, July 9, 2003) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today cleared the first test for use as an aid in the clinical laboratory diagnosis of West Nile virus infection. The West Nile Virus IgM Capture ELISA is intended for use in patients with clinical symptoms consistent with viral encephalitis/meningitis.

West Nile Virus: Reducing the Risk (January-February 2003 FDA Consumer magazine) Her entire lifetime may span only a few weeks, but the female Culex pipiens mosquito makes the most of it. Feeding on the blood of humans and animals gives this common carrier of West Nile virus the protein she needs to produce several hundred eggs every few days--eggs that evolve into biting adult mosquitoes seeking blood meals of their own. And with each bite, an infected mosquito may transmit West Nile virus (WNV).

FDA's Response to the Emerging Threat of West Nile Virus (October 3, 2002 Congressional Testimony) Since the beginning of this West Nile virus outbreak, we have taken many steps to meet this goal by collaborating closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS or the Department) agencies, while working with our partners in the blood and diagnostics industry to ensure rapid and effective responses to the evolving problem based on the best available information and technologies. I will summarize for you the background, current state of our knowledge and actions, and our process for promptly responding as new information becomes available to enhance blood safety for those who need transfusions.

West Nile Virus Infections May Be More Widespread (September-October 2001 FDA Consumer magazine ) West Nile virus was recognized in the Western Hemisphere for the first time in 1999, when it caused an epidemic of encephalitis and meningitis in New York City. Intensive hospital-based, public health surveillance registered seven deaths in the region from meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord). 

Blood Products Voluntarily Withdrawn to Reduce West Nile Virus Risk (December 12, 2002 FDA Statement)  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the blood banking community to assess and manage the potential risk of West Nile Virus transmission from blood and blood products. A small number of cases of West Nile Virus infection have been linked to the receipt of blood products that carried the virus. The estimated risk to recipients of blood and blood products is thought to be low; but it varies by region and time period of the epidemic.

Guidance for Industry (FDA/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)This guidance document provides our revisions to our previously published recommendations for assessing donor suitability and product safety for donors with proven West Nile Virus (WNV) infections or with illnesses potentially due to WNV (October 2002). To better identify donors potentially at risk for WNV, this revised guidance adds a new recommendation to ask donors a specific question about history of fever with headache within the week prior to donation. This guidance applies to Whole Blood and blood components intended for transfusion and blood components intended for use in further manufacturing into injectable products or non-injectable products, including recovered plasma, Source Leukocytes and Source Plasma. Within this document, “donors” refers to donors of all such products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed the recommendations in this guidance in consultation with other Public Health Service Agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services. Within this guidance, “you” refers to blood establishments and “we” refers to FDA. This guidance does not apply to tissue establishments or human cells and tissues other than blood. However, tissue establishments may consider implementing similar donor screening practices.  Release

Information about West Nile Virus and Blood Safety (FDA/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research) The ongoing outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infections in the United States has raised concern that WNV could be transmitted through blood transfusion. In one recent cluster, 4 organ recipients from a single donor all developed clinical WNV infection and the donor’s pre-donation blood contained WNV. The source of that donor’s infection continues under investigation but may have been either natural or related to transfusions which he received (CDC. West Nile virus infection in organ donor and transplant recipients---Georgia and Florida, 2002. MMWR 2002;51:790.). In another instance, a blood recipient in MS. Subsequently developed WNV encephalitis. Testing of 3/15 of her blood donors’ retained specimens was positive for WNV RNA, in one case confirmed by culture (MMWR 9/20/02). Most recently, in a case investigation that is still in its preliminary stage, 2 patients who developed WNV encephalitis after receiving blood products were co-recipients of blood from a donor whose retained sample has tested positive for WNV RNA (joint CDC, FDA, State of Michigan Press Telebriefing, 9/27/02).

Call for Development of Blood Donor Screening and Supplemental Tests for Infections with West Nile Virus (FDA/CBER) Investigations of the ongoing U.S. epidemic of human infections with WNV have strongly suggested that WNV can be transmitted through blood transfusions, although the level of risk remains under study. Since about 80 percent of infected persons remain asymptomatic even when they are transiently viremic, screening of blood and plasma donors with laboratory tests for WNV likely will be necessary to protect blood safety if the epidemic persists. Currently there are no FDA approved tests available for donor screening or clinical diagnosis for WNV.

Hybrid Mosquitoes May Spread West Nile in U.S. Mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus in North America are a blend of two strains that remain essentially distinct in the Old World, researchers report. Interbreeding may explain why the insects often bite both birds and people in North America but generally only one or the other in Europe.

West Nile Virus Infecting U.S. Blood Now that the media frenzy over West Nile virus (WNV) has subsided, and pictures of dead birds and insect repellant cans no longer permeate the nightly news, what shall we do about screening the United States blood supply for the virus? Shortly after the spread of WNV in North America and the revelation that blood transfusions may transmit the virus, US officials established regulations requiring blood banks to screen all their donated blood for WNV using nucleic acid amplification tests. Although these requirements have been in place since June 2003, there has been debate over if and how to continue the screening. The threat of disease certainly still exists, but with limited resources and other potential hazards to blood supply safety, there has been a real need for good, objective economic studies to determine what type and what degree of screening should be performed. In other words, the cost of testing is now overriding the possibility of infecting someone. Because the "media frenzy" has died down. There's standards and ethics for you.

West Nile Might Affect Pregnancy Outcomes (02/26/2004, Reuters Health) NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - There is some evidence that infection with the West Nile virus (WNV) while a woman is pregnant can affect the baby. This has prompted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to recommend evaluation of such newborns for hearing defects and other abnormalities. "We are eager to have doctors report cases of mothers infected with WNV," Dr. E. Hayes told Reuters Health. "The new guidelines will help us become more aware of pregnancies that are affected by WNV, and to help the medical community and the CDC better define what is happening in those situations." In the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for February 27, Hayes and Dr. S. A. Rasmussen describe four cases of West Nile virus infection involving pregnant women during 2002.

West Nile Virus: Preliminary Information on Lessons Learned General Accounting Office Summary, GAO/HEHS-00-142R, June 23, 2000

Map of Equine WNV Cases 2003

National WNV Surveillance Maps 2003 (USGS)

Clarification on the Issue of the West Nile Virus Vaccine:  Vaccine Safe for Use Horse owners should be assured that the vaccine is safe, and it should be used as protection against West Nile virus. Millions of doses of the vaccine have been used since USDA's Center for Veterinary Biologics approved its use in 2001.

Animal Disease Alert— West Nile Virus: Protecting Your Horses Horses may become infected without showing any clinical signs. Fever is not a common sign. It is important to take preventive actions early, prior to the time of the year when mosquitoes are likely to bite and infect horses.

Prevention and Control of West Nile Virus Infection in Equine and Other Livestock or Poultry West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne virus that was recognized in the Western Hemisphere for the first time in 1999. Invertebrate vectors, such as mosquitoes, circulate the virus among wild birds. Occasionally the virus is introduced into other vertebrate populations, such as humans or horses, that serve as incidental hosts. Incidental hosts are infected animals that do not pass the virus on to vectors or other animals.

Guidelines for Investigating Suspect West Nile Virus Cases in Equine In the United States, West Nile virus (WNV) has caused disease and deaths in humans, wild birds, zoo birds, and horses. Wild birds are the reservoir for the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes and controlling mosquitoes are fundamental in preventing the disease. The purpose of this document is to guide veterinary practitioners and field personnel in investigating and reporting suspect cases of WNV infection in equine.

Factsheet on the West Nile Virus West Nile is a mosquito–borne virus that was first detected in the United States in 1999. The virus, which causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, has been found in Africa, Western Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean region of Europe, and, most recently, in the United States.

Q&A's on the West Nile Virus

CDC: West Nile Virus

CDC: Questions and Answers about WNV

CFE: What's Going on with the West Nile Virus?

WNV West Nile Virus

USGS: West Nile Virus Maps (2000)

USGS: West Nile Virus Maps (2001)

CFE: West Nile Virus Web links

USGS: West Nile Virus links

Manitoba Health Dept: About West Nile Virus

CBC: West Nile Virus Facts

NCChem: Malathion

Malathion - Safety and Medical Uses

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Other Mosquito-Borne

Malaria Control A second major sanitation-related disease is malaria. A serious resurgence of malaria is taking place in many countries. Between 300 and 400 million people suffer from malaria, and five million die from it annually. The disease is caused by the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparium (and three other Plasmodium species), which are transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes from an infected person to a healthy person. Tropical and subtropical regions of the world suffer the most from malaria.

Malaria Malaria is by far the world’s most important tropical parasitic disease, and kills more people than any other communicable disease except tuberculosis. In many developing countries, and in Africa especially, malaria exacts an enormous toll in lives, in medical costs, and in days of labor lost. The causative agents in humans are four species of Plasmodium protozoa (single-celled parasites) - P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. Of these, P. falciparum accounts for the majority of infections and is the most lethal. Malaria is a curable disease if promptly diagnosed and adequately treated.

Rift Valley Fever Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, fever-causing viral disease that affects domestic animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels) and humans. RVF is most commonly associated with mosquito-borne epidemics during years of unusually heavy rainfall. The disease is caused by the RVF virus, a member of the genus Phlebovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. The disease was first reported among livestock by veterinary officers in Kenya in the early 1900s.

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Non-Plague Rodent

Arenavirus Fact Sheet The Arenaviridae are a family of viruses whose members are generally associated with rodent-transmitted disease in humans. Each virus usually is associated with a particular rodent host species in which it is maintained. Arenavirus infections are relatively common in humans in some areas of the world and can cause severe illnesses.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

Fact Sheet Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease that presents as aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membrane, or meninges, that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and meninges). Its causative agent is the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a member of the family Arenaviridae, that was initially isolated in 1933. Although LCMV is most commonly recognized as causing neurological disease, as its name implies, asymptomatic infection or mild febrile illnesses are common clinical manifestations. Additionally, pregnancy-related infection has been associated with abortion, congenital hydrocephalus and chorioretinitis, and mental retardation.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.

Prevent Hantavirus, Indoors and Outdoors

Cleaning Tips for Preventing HPS

"Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome --- United States: Updated Recommendations for Risk Reduction" Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 26, 2002/Vol. 51/No. RR-9

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Other Tick Borne

Tick-borne Encephalitis Tick-borne encephalitis, or TBE, is a human viral infectious disease involving the central nervous system. The disease is most often manifest as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and meninges). Although TBE is most commonly recognized as a neurologic disease, mild febrile illnesses can also occur. Long-lasting or permanent neuropsychiatric sequelae are observed in 10-20% of infected patients.

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Other Viruses

Ebola Fever Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is one of the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind, causing death in 50-90% of all clinically ill cases. The disease has its origins in the jungles of Africa and Asia. Several different forms of Ebola virus have been identified and may be associated with other clinical expressions, on which further research is required.

Rabies Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease. The causative agent is found in domestic and wild animals, and is transmitted to other animals and to humans through close contacts with their saliva (ie. bites, scratches, licks on broken skin and mucous membranes). Once symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to animals as well as humans and there is no cure for it.

Hendra Virus Disease Hendra virus (formerly called equine morbillivirus) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae. The virus was first isolated in 1994 from specimens obtained during an outbreak of respiratory and neurologic disease in horses and humans in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. Nipah virus, also a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, is related but not identical to Hendra virus. Nipah virus was initially isolated in 1999 upon examining samples from an outbreak of encephalitis and respiratory illness among adult men in Malaysia and Singapore.

Yellow Fever Yellow fever is a viral disease that has caused large epidemics in Africa and the Americas. It can be recognized from historic texts stretching back 400 years. Infection causes a wide spectrum of disease, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The “yellow” in the name is explained by the jaundice that affects some patients. Although a safe and effective vaccine has been available for 60 years, the number of people infected over the last two decades has increased and yellow fever is now a serious public health issue again.

Hepatitis C HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. Transmission through blood transfusions that are not screened for HCV infection, through the reuse of inadequately sterilized needles, syringes or other medical equipment, or through needle-sharing among drug-users, is well documented. Sexual and perinatal transmission may also occur, although less frequently. Other modes of transmission such as social, cultural, and behavioral practices using percutaneous procedures (e.g. ear and body piercing, circumcision, tattooing) can occur if inadequately sterilized equipment is used. HCV is not spread by sneezing, hugging, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils, or casual contact. See also: Hepatitis B

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Antibiotics

Antibiotics no longer medicine's wonder drugs. By Dr. Charles J. Lerner. Thirty years ago, Time Magazine optimistically reported, "Nearly all experts agree that by the year 2000 bacterial and viral illnesses will have been wiped out. Probably arteriosclerotic heart disease will also have been eliminated." Currently, headlines warning against Ebola, Hanta Virus and AIDS create panic in the minds of some people. In reality, numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria lurk dangerously nearby; threatening us more than AIDS and Ebola combined.

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Vaccines

Vaccines in Civilian Defense Against Bioterrorism Philip K. Russell, Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 5, No. 4, July - August 1999

Desk Reference on Vaccines & Immunity (Emphasizing Military Vaccination Programs), Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Dept. of Defense, November 12, 1999

Anthrax Vaccine: Safety and Efficacy Issues, GAO Testimony GAO/T-NSIAD-00-48, October 12, 1999

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Air Filters/Shelters

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Protective Gear

Gas Mask recommendations On October 4, 2001 Joel was interviewed the Coast to Coast AM radio show.  He was asked about preparing for Biological Terrorist Attacks. Here he summarizes his responses.

Buying A Gas Mask, and Other Considerations Several years ago, the U.S. government published a list of the top 120 cities most at risk for terrorism. While this Domestic Preparedness web site is still active, it is now closed off to the public, accessible only by password. This list might help you decide how much preparedness you feel is necessary. Excellent article (as usual) from Noah's Ark website.

Interim Recommendations for Selection/Use of Protective Clothing - CDC.gov The approach to any potentially hazardous atmosphere, including biological hazards, must be made with a plan that includes an assessment of hazard and exposure potential, respiratory protection needs, entry conditions, exit routes, and decontamination strategies. Any plan involving a biological hazard should be based on relevant infectious disease or biological safety recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other expert bodies including emergency first responders, law enforcement, and public health officials. The need for decontamination and for treatment of all first responders with antibiotics or other medications should be decided in consultation with local public health authorities.

How Gas Masks Work  Any time there is a threat of biological or chemical attack, the first thing you hear about is gas masks. In this edition of HowStuffWorks, we will look at the technology behind gas masks so you can understand how they work, and when they won't. (Watch out for POP UPS)

Anthrax Exposure with Personal Protective Equipment On October 31, 2001 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its October 24th official health advisory for mail handlers. This revision, entitled “CDC Interim Recommendations for Protecting Workers from Exposure to Bacillus anthracis in Work Sites Where Mail Is Handled or Processed,” along with the CDC’s “Interim Recommendations for Firefighters and Other First Responders for the Selection and Use of Protective Clothing and Respirators Against Biological Agents,” released on October 25, 2001, represents the most recent information available on appropriate PPE for Anthrax. This article summarizes these two recent CDC advisories and contains other PPE related information and links on Anthrax that Lab Safety Supply’s Technical Services Department has discovered.

Interim Recommendations for the Selection and Use of Protective Clothing and Respirators Against Biological Agents The approach to any potentially hazardous atmosphere, including biological hazards, must be made with a plan that includes an assessment of hazard and exposure potential, respiratory protection needs, entry conditions, exit routes, and decontamination strategies.  Any plan involving a biological hazard should be based on relevant infectious disease or biological safety recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other expert bodies including emergency first responders, law enforcement, and public health officials. The need for decontamination and for treatment of all first responders with antibiotics or other medications should be decided in consultation with local public health authorities. This INTERIM STATEMENT is based on current understanding of the potential threats and existing recommendations issued for biological aerosols.

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Detection & Alarms

"Chemical Alarms," from Frontline's The Last Battle of the Gulf War, January 20, 1998

West Nile Virus Detection Tests  We develop, manufacture and market rapid on-site tests for medical and environmental applications. We offer tests for the detection of heart attack, West Nile virus and more.

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Clean-Up/DeCon

Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents ~ An introduction to methods and chemicals for decontamination: In protection against chemical warfare agents the decontamination is an important unavoidable part. The aim of decontamination is to rapidly and effectively render harmless or remove poisonous substances both on personnel and equipment. High decontamination capacity is one of the factors which may reduce the effect of an attack with CW agents. In this way, it may act as a deterrent.

(W.H.O.) Fact Sheet 13: Decontamination of Chemical Warfare (CW) Agents: The aim of decontamination is to rapidly and effectively render harmless or remove poisonous substances both on personnel and equipment. High decontamination capacity is one of the factors which may reduce the effect of an attack with CW agents. In this way, it may act as a deterrent. The need for decontamination should be minimized to the extent possible by contamination avoidance and early warning. Equipment can be covered, for example, or easily decontaminated equipment can be chosen by means of suitable design and resistant surface cover. Decontamination is time consuming and requires resources. Nerve agents and substances causing injury to the skin and tissue are easily soluble in, and penetrate many different types of material, such as paint, plastics and rubber, all of which renders decontamination more difficult. If CW agents have penetrated sufficiently deep, then toxic gases can be released from the material for long periods. By adding substances which increase the viscosity of a CW agent, its persistence time and adhesive ability can be increased. These thickened agents will thus be more difficult to decontaminate with liquid decontaminants since they adhere to the material and are difficult to dissolve. The need for decontamination can only be established by means of detection. If detection is not possible, then decontamination must be done solely on suspicion of contamination.

Decontamination of chemical warfare agents using a reactive sorbent - US Patent Issued on February 8, 2005 ~ REF#6100440: The invention provides reactive sorbents and methods of making and using the same in order to decontaminate surfaces contaminated with toxic agents, such as chemical warfare agents and/or industrial toxins. The reactive sorbents are of two general types, one of which comprises dehydroxylated aluminum oxide and the other comprises porous carbon impregnated with a reactive solution, so that both sorbents take up and then detoxify toxic agents.

NATO HANDBOOK ON THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF NBC DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS AMedP-6(B) PART III - CHEMICAL: Covers Nerve Agents, Blister Agents, Choking Agents, Blood Agents, Incapacitants and Riot Control Agents, Vomiting Agents and more. Each primary section has decontamination instructions for the identified agent.

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Threat Assessment

Potential Biological Weapons Threats  Mark G. Kortepeter and Gerald W. Parker. U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA. The list of agents that could pose the greatest public health risk in the event of a bioterrorist attack is short. However, although short, the list includes agents that, if acquired and properly disseminated, could cause a difficult public health challenge in terms of our ability to limit the numbers of casualties and control the damage to our cities and nation.

WMD Capabilities Overview If the United States starts military actions against either Afghanistan or Iraq, its forces will be operating in a region of the world where many countries have weapons of mass destruction (WMD), or are seeking to develop them. This section provides an overview of the WMD capabilities of key countries in these regions. For details on Iraqi WMD capabilities and the capabilities of other Middle Eastern states please see the Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East section.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, Special Issue on Bioterrorism Vol. 5, No. 4 (July-Aug. 1999)

Agro Terrorism - Chronology of Attacks & Incidents This list includes allegations and threats, along with confirmed incidents of deliberate use of chemical/biological weapons to destroy pre-harvest crops or livestock, in order to cause economic damage. See also: State Programs The chart includes states that have developed or are suspected of developing biological agents with anti-livestock or anti-crop properties and Resources Links to Agro-terror related resources.

Dispersal of Chemical Warfare Agents: Influence of Weather, Terrain and Buildings Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Source: A FOA Briefing Book on Chemical Weapons

Chemical Warfare Agents SIPRI fact sheets

Epidemiology of Bioterrorism Julie A. Pavlin, Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 5, No. 4 (July-Aug. 1999)

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Treatment Protocols

Treatment of Biological Warfare Agent Casualties PDF File courtesy of Survival Primer website. Thanks, Paul! The daddy of all BioWarfare manuals.

Guidelines for Mass Casualty Decontamination During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident U.S. Army Soldier & Biological Chemical Command, January 2000 PDF File courtesy of Survival Primer Website. Thanks, Paul!

Keeping the Lid on Germ Warfare Jane's Defense Weekly, May 1, 1998

Large-Scale Quarantine Following Biological Terrorism in the United States: Scientific Examination, Logistic and Legal Limits, and Possible Consequences by Joseph Barbera, Anthony Macintyre, Larry Gostin, Thomas V. Inglesby, Tara O'Toole, Craig DeAtley, Kevin Tonat, Marci Layton JAMA. Dec 5, 2001; 286(21) Argues that large-scale quarantine should not be considered a primary public health strategy and examines the logistical and legal challenges posed by such measures.

Bioterrorism and the People: How to Vaccinate a City against Panic  by Thomas Glass, Monica Schoch-Spana Clinical Infectious Diseases. Jan 15, 2002; 34(2) Offers guidelines for integrating the public into bioterrorism response planning.

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Supplies & Suppliers

LANX Fabric Systems is currently accepting orders from military organizations, law enforcement, EMS, hospital caregivers, fire departments and any federal, state, or local governments, emergency agencies or first responders.  In addition, we accept orders from certain businesses, news agencies and public utilities personnel tasked with maintaining critical infrastructure facilities and services. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

Here at Approved Gas Masks (AGM), we offer only the best, next generation protection at wholesale prices direct to your door. Since our establishment in 1989, we've grown to become a large manufacturing & distribution company with more than a quarter-million satisfied customers. We specialize in sales of APPROVED and effective gas masks & protective gear. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

US Military Chemical Suits, Children's And Adult Sizes. Frank Bee's "School Uniforms" site. U.S. Military Chemical Suits, Children's and Adult sizes. These are new US Military Chemical Suits. Sizes XXXS-19" Waist, XXS-23" Waist, XS-27" Waist, S-31" Waist, M-35" Waist, L-39" Waist, XL-43" Waist, XXL-46" Waist. These are New In Bags.

Chem Suit Info NBC Chemical protective Suit SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

Gas Masks & NBC Protective Equipment From "Survive America" website. Huge list of masks and equipment for babies to adults. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

Safer America Products Gas Masks, NBC suits, Escape Hoods Smoke Hoods, Potassium Iodide pills - even has "escape parachutes" for high rises! SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

REMPLOY TEXTILE UNIT - NBC PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Remploy NBC Protection is part of the Remploy Textile Group who have been manufacturing protective clothing since 1945 and NBC protective clothing since the 1960s. The UK MOD has been the major customer of Remploy together with many defense organizations, both civil and military, throughout the world. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

NBC (Nuclear, Chemical and Biological) Protective outerwear suits from Safe Central. New NBC suit in original vacuum sealed bag. Our NBC suits are in New unopened condition with no warranties given. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

ProtectiveSuits.com offers First Responder protective gear which includes: Protective Suits, Gas Masks, and a variety of equipment used for protection against Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear threats. US government agencies, Police and Fire First responders, companies, and individuals rely on protectivesuits.com to provide the leading products to protect against potential chemical warfare agents, biological warfare, and terrorist threats such as Anthrax, Smallpox, and Nerve Gas. They even have protective suits for your pets!! SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

Kejo Limited Company Protective Suit NBC - various models, including chem. suits and pet shelters. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

CIVILIAN GAS MASK.com Carries a variety of masks and suits. Seem a little pricey. SSRsi is not affiliated with this company and receives no remuneration in any form for listing this link, nor do we provide any endorsement for their product(s). Link is provided as a public service only. Please REPORT positive or negative experiences with this company and we will share them with our viewers here.

MASK: Russian/German M-10-M Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Very old model. This type of protective mask should NEVER be used for protecting against any NBC warfare agents.
USAGE: Designed ONLY for protection against tear-gas.
(These will most likely not provide this protection as they
are ALL more than 20 years expired)

MASK: Russian M41 Aardvark Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are a triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & internet vendors.
USAGE: Russian / Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.

MASK: Russian SMS Snorkel Protective Mask
STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete
DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are another triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & Internet vendors.
USAGE: Russian/ Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.

MASK: M9 or M9A1 Protective Masks
STATUS: OBSOLETE/ineffective (made in the 50's)
Details: Uses a 60 mm threaded filter which is very hard to find with a modern & effective filter.
USAGE: Tear Gas, Not used since 1960’s, these will provide NO protection, as they are 40+ years

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Links not reviewed

Biological Diseases & Chemical Agents - CDC.gov
Biological Warfare Agents (Partial List) - fas.org
Preparing for bioterrorism - baylorhealth.com
Terrorism Awareness: Weapons Of Mass Destruction - ispub.com
Examples for potential bioweapon agents - sunshine-project.org
Biological Agents - wmdfirstresponders.com
History of Biological Weapons - wmdfirstresponders.com
Growing fear of bioterrorism prompts action - nurseweek.com
Anthrax General Information - CDC.gov
Anthrax info - BT.CDC.gov
Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program - Official DoD Anthrax Information
Smallpox: Homepage - seercom.com
Smallpox: Clinical and Epidemiologic Features - CDC.gov
The Quick-Ref Table of Bio-Chem Warfare - pipeline.com
Chemical Warfare - fas.org
II steps to Nuclear War Fallout Survival - ki4u.com
The Quick-Ref Table of Bio-Chem Warfare
Blast Mapper: Map a Nuclear Blast - pbs.org

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Books, Magazines, Etc.


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UN on Aids

Centre Health & Global Environment

NIH: Human Health Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the United States

NAP: Under the Weather: Climate, Ecosystems, and Infectious Disease

CDC Diseases

Medlineplus: Disease Reference

CDC: Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak

CDC: West Nile Virus

CDC: Influenza

WHO: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

The UK Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit

2005/02/21: Eureka: Ecological destruction fuels emerging diseases

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