Guides for Emergency Response Biological Agent or Weapon Staphylococcal Enterotoxin SEB

Probable Form of Dissemination Aerosol, Sabotage of the food supply. 

Infective Dose (Aerosol) 30 nanograms/person (incapacitating). 1. 7 micrograms/per-son (lethal). 

Signs and Symptoms From three to six hours after aerosol exposure, sudden onset of chills, fever, headache, pain in one of more muscles, and nonproductive cough. Some patients may develop shortness of breath and retrostenal (situated or occurring behind the sternum) chest pain. Fever may last two to five days, and cough may persist for up to four weeks. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if they swallow toxin. Higher exposure levels can lead to septic shock and death. 

Personal Protection Protective clothing must be used as well as protection for the respiratory tract by using a mask with biological filters, or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with positive pressure, at least until you know the specific threat(s). 

Duration of Illness Hours, or days to weeks. Treatment is mainly limited to supportive care, but assisted ventilation may be necessary in serious cases, and fluid management is necessary. No antitoxin is available, and antibiotics provide no benefit. 

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Guides for Emergency Response Biological Agent or Weapon Staphylococcal Enterotoxin (SEB)... 

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