Bioterrorism potential of haemorrhagic fever viruses - occupational and environmental Implications of filoviruses and arenaviruses.

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), caused by filoviruses (e.g., Ebola virus, Marburg virus) and arenaviruses (e.g., Lassa virus, Machupo virus), represent a significant bioterrorism threat due to their zoonotic origins, high mortality rates, and severe clinical presentations. This review examines the potential use of VHFs as biological weapons, their zoonotic transmission dynamics, and implications for rural and agricultural health.

Review methods: A comprehensive review was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies addressing VHFs in the context of bioterrorism and zoonotic disease transmission. Studies published between 2016 - 2024 were included, with search terms such as 'viral haemorrhagic fevers'', 'bioterrorism potential', and 'zoonotic transmission'.

Brief description of the state of knowledge: VHFs are zoonotic diseases transmitted to humans from animal reservoirs, primarily rodents and bats. Their pathogenicity, coupled with potential for engineered transmission, underscores their bioterrorism risk. Rural and agricultural communities face heightened exposure due to their proximity to these natural reservoirs.

Summary: While these viruses are rare and unstable in natural settings, the prospect of their genetic manipulation or combination in order to create novel pathogens introduces new avenues for their potential use in bioterrorism. It is imperative to comprehensively understand their pathogenesis and to establish rigorous control and prevention measures to mitigate their impact on public health and safety. The ongoing vigilance and preparedness efforts are essential to counteract the potential threat posed by these agents in bioterrorism scenarios.