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Date Released: 7/31/2006 To save the Podcast, right click the "Save this file" link below and select the "Save Target As..." option. Save This File (1MB) Download this transcript (64KB)The History of Bioterrorism: Botulism (Dr. Joanne Cono, CDC) The United States’ interest in botulinum toxins may have grown in part out of our suspicions about the alleged German program. The Soviets studied botulinum as well. While the U.S. actually developed botulinum as one of the lethal agents in its arsenal, both the United States and the Soviets ultimately gave botulinum a lower level of priority because it’s usefulness for dissemination over large areas was inferior to that of other agents like anthrax and tularemia. Botulinum appears to have been Saddam Hussein’s favorite biological weapon. According to United Nations documents, Iraq produced 19,000 liters of liquid botulinum toxins and 8,500 liters of liquid anthrax. Much of this was loaded into bombs and Saddam was apparently fully prepared to use these weapons. Obtaining the bacterial cultures for production of botulinum toxins was unfortunately relatively easy for the Iraqis. (William C. Patrick III, Biological Warfare Consultant) (Dr. Joanne Cono, CDC)
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