Exposure

In Denmark there has never been an attack or intentional release with biological warfare agents. However, there are regularly alarms where the Police contact CBB in relation to suspicious materials, including materials connected with criminal activities. When such incidents occur, Centre for Biosecurity and Biopreparedness (CBB) carries out a threat analysis and if necessary, deploys a Field Investigation Team to take samples and investigate the situation further.

Personal precaution measures

Most biological warfare agents do not transmit from person to person, and no biological warfare agent is infectious in the incubation period, i.e. before there are disease symptoms. Thus, it is sufficient to take a thorough bath and change clothes before leaving the area where there has been a possible biological incident. The emergency services and health inspectors will provide assistance and guidance.

The Police and health inspectors will provide information necessary.

Remember:

• If you have been in contact with suspicious materials you must register with the Police at the scene of the incident so the authorities can get in contact with you when the results of the laboratory analyses are ready. The health inspectors will inform you which steps to take if you get symptoms or feel ill before the results of the analyses are ready

• Obvious symptoms will not appear on exposed persons. The time from exposure to a potential disease outbreak can be from several hours up to two weeks

• Symptoms may include fatigue, fever, nausea, vomit, coughing, paralysis of the face, problems breathing, rashes, wounds, and loss of conscience

If you do get symptoms after exposure to suspicious materials, the most likely reason is a simple infectious disease, as for example a cold or a common flu. However to be on the safe side please call the health inspectors.