An attack by biological agents could result in the release of deadly toxins, viruses, germs, bacteria or disease that can kill everything in its path, and having a solid emergency plan created in advance may be the only thing that prevents you and your family from becoming one of the many statistical fatalities.
When you are building your emergency urban survival kit, you will want to plan for three basic types of biological threats. The most likely types in which a biological threat will come are; toxins, bacteria, or a virus. Of the mentioned options, many of these are very difficult to keep alive. Viruses, for example, are typically known to die once they hit the open air. Other toxins might lose their ability to be fatal when exposed to sunlight or water. But then there are other known substances, like Anthrax, which are almost impossible to kill. This deadly agent can be spread through the air, through contact with animals, wildlife and livestock, and through everyday food and water. These are all factors that should be considered when designing and implementing your emergency urban survival plan.
Potential Types of Delivery Methods
- Airborne: Some of these chemical agents can spread like a fog over vast areas. Some may be entirely undetectable, being completely invisible and odorless. When inhaled by animals and people, they are fatal. An emergency urban survival kit containing gas masks with adequate filters will be essential.
- Animals and Pests: When we think of animals as carriers, we traditionally might think of cows, chickens and pigs, since these are the livestock from where we get our protein products. But the more likely scenario will be that these bio-hazards will be spread by much smaller creatures, such as flies, mosquitos, rodents, and fleas. Create an emergency urban survival plan that incorporates all possibilities. Consider purchasing mosquito netting, bug repellents, and rat traps.
- Food and Water: Many of these harmful agents can live for a very long time when hidden in our foods and water supply. They are not exposed to air or sunlight, so they live much longer, if not indefinitely. Your emergency urban survival kit will need to consist of large amounts of bottled water, adequate water filters and properly stored goods.
- Person to Person Contact: Humans have been known to spread every disease on the planet, from the common cold to the Black Plague. Many of these bio toxins have delayed symptoms. This means it could take days before you even know that you are infected. The simple shaking of one’s hand might cause the disease to spread.
Things to Do During a Biological Threat
- Since the range of possibilities for biological threats is so vast, there are a few simple rules that apply to all types of biological attacks. First, grab you emergency urban survival kit and bug out far from neighboring communities. The best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid coming in contact with the public.
- Keep informed by listening to the radio (including HAM radio) and television for updates from the federal health authorities (always keep in mind that the authorities don’t always have your best interest at heart).
- Wash your hands and face frequently. Practice impeccable hygiene.
- You might want to include a face mask for each member of the family into your emergency urban survival plan and procedures kit. This may help to filter out the toxic agents or at least prolong your infection rate.
- Be wary of using public transit or being in close proximity to large amounts of people while the biological threats are active.