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File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0101.txt
Subject: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Unit: OTSG
Parent Organization: HSC
Box ID: BX003203
Folder Title: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 21
912. With the exception of a covert, tactical point action a successfully
perfc=ed biological attack would, however-. undoubtedly lead to a catastrophic
situation for the medical services both on the military and an the civilian
side. The problems would be of such magnitude that only a coordinated total
defeice effort would have a chance to. succeed. A fundamental prerequisite for
such an effort would be that it be given a high priority within the spectrum
of total defence. Peacetime preparations and planning should be made
centrally in each country for such a total defence effort.
913. Some NATO counties have begun precara-lions for such a coordinated
preparedness ag@ins- biological warfare. An important ccnsiderat4-on would be
that in a modern war temmora--y isolation of geographic regions is a very
realistic possibility and thus the implementation of the various measures
should be placed in the hands of some form of permanent regional epidemic-
logical committee with representation from all key authorities both on the
military and on the civilian side. In such a cc@ittee the military medical
Sal-vices a, Li,e u"ld play road.
Main tasks of an epidemiological committee of t.Iiis,type would be the
following:
Allocation of riecessar-
a. f medical and paramedical personnel.
b. Coordination of sampling of material from patients and eqviron-
ment for microbiological examination.
C. Registration of verified and probable cases in order to assess
the extent of the epidemic.
d. Decisions an which patients to isolate or which ones to be
admitted to a ceiter specializing in infectious diseases for diagnosis.
e. Requisitioning of facilities such as buildings (hotels, schools,
etc.) necessary for isolation or treatment of particular groups of
cases.
f. Organization of transportation of such patients.
9. Requisitioning of necessary equipment for the medical management
and care, as well as necessary drugs, antiseptics, disinfectants and
pesticides.
914. The possibility of so-called combined NBC injuries must be carefully
considered in future war-preparedness planning. In particular the eventuality
of the useaof biological agents prior to, simultaneously with, or soon after a
nuclear attack must be borne in mind. The i@osuppressive effect of
radiation should be remembered and would present a significant element of
aggravation of the situation. One possible countermeasure would be an
extensive use of broad spectrum antibiotics as pretreatment.
38
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Document 109 f:/Week-36/BX003203/DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/detection of medical defense against biological :1217960927452
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 21
Subject = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996