1.Discuss the differences in clinical presentation between a person who is a vic

Question

1.Discuss the differences in clinical presentation between a person who is a victim of a chemical vs. a biological event. (for 20points)

2. During Week 6, we learned about natural disasters and some lessons learned (e.g., Hurricane Katrina). How do these lessons from a natural disaster compare to those learned from the other incidents about which you have read in this course? (for 20pts)

3 :. There continues to be an increasing need for emergency management, especially with the increasing number of mass casualty events. Using the course material or other resources, what do you think are the Top 3 things necessary for emergency preparedness and response? Please explain your selections. (20 points)

4.How do you think the psychological effects of a terrorist-generated disaster impact the response? Give reasons for your response. (for 20 points)

Explanation / Answer

Discuss the differences in clinical presentation between a person who is a victim of a chemical vs. a biological event.

Biological agents are microorganisms (i.e. viruses, bacteria and fungi), whether naturally occurring, genetically modified or synthetically engineered. These agents may cause infection, toxicity or allergy in humans, animals or plants. Toxins are also classified as biological agents. These are naturally occurring poisonous chemicals produced by biological organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms (although some may be artificially synthesized). As poisons, toxins are comparable to toxic chemical agents in their mechanism of action. Typical biological agents cause sickness and disease by infection, usually producing symptoms a number of days later. In general, these agents have long latency periods. The route of exposure to a biological agent can have a significant effect on the type and severity of an infection. In addition, the method of transmission can have a significant impact on the spread of infection among a population. Some infections may be transmitted only by direct physical contact between individuals or contact with contaminated materials or surfaces. Others are spread from person to person by airborne transmission, enabling the potentially rapid spread of the disease. Some agents may require an insect vector to transmit the infection, e.g. the yellow fever virus carried by mosquitos.

Chemical agents are toxic chemical substances that occur naturally or are artificially synthesized. Many are produced and used for legitimate industrial, agricultural or medical purposes, e.g. hydrogen cyanide (industrial), chlorine (industrial), organophosphates (agricultural) and carbamates (medical). Chemical agents developed under military chemical weapons programs include:

• blister agents, such as Sulphur mustard (i.e. ‘mustard gas’), which cause burns and blisters on the skin upon contact and if the inhaled damage the respiratory tract

• nerve agents, such as sarin and VX, which interfere with the transmission of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter causing muscle spasms, secretions, respiratory failure and unconsciousness

• blood agents such as cyanide, which inhibit the transfer of oxygen in the blood causing convulsion and respiratory failure

• choking agents, such as phosgene, which causes damage to the lungs resulting in respiratory problems • incapacitating agents, which act on the central nervous system to cause psychomimetic effects (delusions and hallucinations), such as BZ, or to cause unconsciousness and respiratory failure, such as fentanyl

• irritant agents (also known as riot control agents or ‘tear gas’), such as CS, CN, CR and oleoresin capsicum (OC), which cause irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

The severity of illness and the risk of death from exposure to chemical agents will depend on several factors, particularly the type of agent, the route and level of exposure, the vulnerability of the victim and the provision of medical treatment (ICRC. (n.d)

One of the Week 6 readings is "Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina". How do these lessons from a natural disaster compare to those learned from the other incidents about which you have read in this course?

I found that each incident had similarities in the following areas; uncoordinated leadership, weak planning, poor public relations, resource constraints and training and exercise.

For example, the main similarity among all lessons learned was the uncoordinated leadership. Several incident commanders identified: unclear, multiple, conflicting, uncooperative, and isolated command structures. Each agency has legitimate missions, responsibilities, and jurisdiction, each uses its command and control process to take charge, in a legitimate attempt to solve the problems the agency is supposed to solve; however, the result was duplicative and resulting in conflicting efforts.

Disasters are devastating natural, accidental, or willful events that suddenly result in severe negative economic and social consequences for the populations they affect, often including physical injury, loss of life, property damage and loss, physical and emotional hardship, destruction of physical infrastructure, and failure of administrative and operational systems. The infrequency with which disasters occur makes it hard for responders to test and improve their strategies, to ensure that they can be counted on to mitigate threats and hazards predictably and to resolve their consequences effectively.

How do you think the psychological effects of a terrorist-generated disaster impact the response? Give reasons for your response

Disasters have substantial social and psychological impacts, which reflect not only the impact characteristics (e.g., magnitude and severity) but the pre-existing social and economic vulnerabilities, which intensify the loss and disruption. Psychological distress is defined as a serious and problematic emotional, cognitive, physical or interpersonal reaction to difficulties. Distress is of sufficient intensity to disrupt a person's normal life patterns. It can be distinguished from psychological stress, which is considered as a more benign response to difficulties that an individual is able to relieve through everyday coping responses.

Psychological effects of the disaster are:

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