Bioterrorism: scientists are developing an anthrax vaccine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A team of scientists from the University of Cardiff is conducting new research on the development of anthrax vaccine in order to adequately withstand the threat of bioterrorism.
A team of scientists from Georgia, Turkey and the United States is developing a vaccine that can protect mankind from anthrax - a dangerous infectious disease of agricultural and wild animals of all kinds, as well as humans.
The sources of the disease are herbivorous animals - small and large cattle.
The disease can be transmitted to a person through infected livestock products, contaminated with the causative agent of ulcers, household items and livestock care, soil, as well as livestock raw materials and objects made from it.
Usually anthrax flows in the form of a dermal form, rarely pulmonary and intestinal. Refers to zoonoses. The "gateway" through which the virus enters the body is the skin. Within a few hours the active propagation of the pathogen begins.
"At present, most of the world's population is susceptible to anthrax infection, caused by the bacterium Bacillus," says Professor Bailey, co-author of the study. - Postal attacks in 2011 in the United States have shown how vulnerable humanity is and how helpless in the confrontation with such a formidable opponent.
This growing threat, represented by bioterrorism, forced the government to take action, and thus this project appeared, which brought together a team of scientists from several countries.
"The results of this study," the scientists say, "will form the basis of a new technology for the development of broad-spectrum vaccines that can provide reliable protection against infection."
Such vaccines will work on two levels: locally - they will directly improve the lives of workers and reduce the risk of anthrax, and help protect citizens from the use of anthrax as a bioterrorist weapon.
An additional advantage of this project will be the creation of a research center in Georgia that will be able to support research in the field of infectious diseases and ultimately improve the lives of all people.
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