Whenever a biological disaster breaks out, emergency responders may be the greatest factor in preventing extensive damage and loss of life. Because the cause of these disasters stems from living creatures, they aren’t handled the same as natural disasters like fires or hurricanes. They’re categorized much like other emergencies are but can cover entire continents if left unchecked. Below are five biological disasters that require an emergency response.
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Epidemics
What may come most quickly to mind are outbreaks of the viral sort, since they can be spread easily from person to person in the right environments. These include but are not limited to various strains of the flu, cholera, HIV, tuberculosis, and more. At times these infections break out thanks to natural disasters like storms and earthquakes; sometimes they’re spread from animals. The usual response to epidemics is to treat anyone infected, raise awareness of the outbreak, and promote action in containing the disease.
Insect or Animal Plagues
The bubonic plague is a well-known example of this type of biohazard, but there are many more modern instances than just this. Plagues typically range from affecting humans to animals to crops, and often affect all three. If the right insect carries it and spreads it to a larger living being, it may spread through other insects or other larger creatures; if the surrounding temperatures and climate foster breeding, the results could be unfortunately prolific. Plagues are treated in much the same way epidemics are: with quickly-provided medical aid and raised awareness.
Infestations
The rapid introduction of certain insects or animals can become too rapid and cause an infestation. This can include the destruction of land and wiping out other species, affecting humans negatively in both the short- and long-term. Some infestations are harmless and can be contained with little effort, but in the case of emergencies, millions of dollars and miles of land can be wasted. It could take mass evacuation and governmental fumigation to remove the problem, not to mention concentrated efforts of replenishing a food source once the invasion is stopped.
Stampedes
Similar to infestations, stampedes involve an unusually large amount of animals to cause a major problem. These are more common in regions with significant numbers of larger animals and don’t necessarily require the influence of microorganisms. Unlike infestations, however, they can’t be “treated.” Evacuating those in the stampede’s path and redirecting the flow of movement prevents injury; treatment and repair for people and places caught in the rush is the path to recovery. Animals are less likely to stampede when they’ve eaten and are left alone, so it behooves humans to mind their proximity.
Bioterrorism
This type of disaster involves the planned use of viruses, bacteria, and other germs to infect and kill members of a population. The pathogens used are more often than not found in nature, but bioterrorists employ careful methods of making them easier to spread among people, and therefore more dangerous than normal. Agents can be planted in air, water, or food to great effect; some are directly spread from person to person. Smallpox and anthrax in particular have been used to instill panic and sickness in the recent past. Fortunately biodefense methods are available to withstand these threats, from research and education to vaccines.
Catastrophes leave an impact long after they’ve settled, which is why responders are so crucial to a community. Whether on a small or global scale, biological disasters must be taken seriously. The emergency response could be the difference between life and death.