RODENTS AS A RISK FACTOR IN USE OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

N. Cholakov

Abstract: In the recent years the risk from terrorist attacks has increased significantly. Keeping in mind that biological agents have low price and easy access, they are considered as one of the most dangerous existing weapons. At the same time the wide prevalence of synanthropic rodents, their high number in human habitats, well-developed potential for adaptation and great number of diseases they spread determines their important epizootic and epidemiological role in the modern world. Here we review the risk they pose for spreading and storage of pathogens and also the measures which need to be taken to combat them.

Keywords: bioterrorism; biowarfare; prevention; rodents

Date published: 2017-12-28