The programme was all the more effective because it was largely completed before the events of 11 september last year, rather than in response to them. Evidence of the use of pandemic flu to depopulate usa. I watched this movies ages ago and i cannot find it anywhere now. Silent weapon was a unique and daring assignment undertaken by the bbc. A oneoff drama by bbc news and current affairs shot in documentary style about a fictional bioterrorist attack. Although naturally occurring smallpox has been eradicated, there is still heightened concern that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism.
Eradicated from the world in 1977, smallpox reemerged as a potential terrorist weapon at the end of the 20th century. The smallpox virus biological weapon or research tool. United states biological weapons program wikipedia. Unfortunately, the danger and risk is still haunting us because this virus is on the top in the list of bioterrorism agents. Amsterdam, 27 october 2004 it has been almost 25 years since the world health organization who declared the global eradication of smallpox the first and only disease ever to be eradicated and a key achievement in public health. Smallpox 2002 silent weapon, bbc2, tuesday 5 february, 9 pm. But smallpox is a quiet, continuing, hidden attack.
In 1980, after a successful immunization campaign, who declared that smallpox, a virus that ravaged the human race, was eradicated. Smallpox 2002 silent weapon connecting repositories. Bush announced that the government will begin giving smallpox shots to military and other government personnel in highrisk areas and to willing frontline healthcare workers. The beautiful new england town of amherst, massachusetts is home to many well known colleges and universities. As a result of this request, smallpox, a virus that kills a third of those infected, officially exists within the confines of two. Current biology vol 12, issue 6, pages r193r228, 439514. According to our dod, it is believed that north korea, iraq, and russia are already capable of using smallpox as a weapon. Read smallpox 2002 silent weapon, current biology on deepdyve, the largest online rental service for scholarly research with thousands of academic publications available at your fingertips. After 911, both films were repeated 2002, quite clearly. Which shows 1g2 written with a negative expression answers. Using the victims of the plague as a weapon in medieval warfare and spread of smallpox as a weapon during the war against the indians when initially america. A free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. Mar 19, 2002 read smallpox 2002 silent weapon, current biology on deepdyve, the largest online rental service for scholarly research with thousands of academic publications available at your fingertips.
Today, the smallpox virus officially exists within two government laboratories. Silent weapon 2002 explores the devastating effects of a smallpox attack on the us and uk that eventually kills 60 million people worldwide. Attempts to kill by disease in times of war are not new. Dec 19, 2016 however, it is possible that variola virus the virus that causes smallpox could be used in a biological attack an intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops. The focus of the first shootout was an episode in february 2009 when the austrian subsidiary of baxter distributed 72 kilos of material contaminated with live virus vaccines for avian influenza to sixteen laboratories and unleashed an investigation by the austrian police wikipedia, 2012 title. Research continued following world war ii as the u. Aug 23, 2018 smallpox, a disease caused by variola virus, is considered one of the biggest killers in terms of diseases in human history. Russia still has a facility that could produce tons of smallpox each year and is still researching more toxic strains. According to critics, the choice made by the corporation was all the more surprising as this production did not fall within the remit of quality television by which the bbc has always claimed to abide and it. Silent weapon was a unique and daring assignment undertaken by the bbc and which was carried out against a backdrop of scathing criticisms for its catastrophic dimension. A docudrama that reports on a fictitious attack made by terrorist using the disease of small pox to attack the world. American and soviet medical specialists who once made germ weapons but now fight their spread, fbi agents who track islamic radicals, the iraqis who built saddam husseins secret. Smallpox 2002silent weapon, bbc2, tuesday 5 february, 9 pm. Leveraging the new resources that are directed at bioterrorism and improving coordination through a comprehensive approach to biosecurity could streamline us programs, reduce redundancy in efforts, and ensure that homeland security is without gaps meyerson and reaser 2002.
In 1942, the poor control of the infection spread resulted in the death of 1,700. Sam stockman born 1982 is a british actor and musician whose most notable acting role is as dc emerson kent on the uk crime drama whitechapel from 2009 to 20. Soon in a little over a week doctors recognize the disease in 20 people. Terrorists secretly release smallpox virus in three shopping malls in the united states. Smallpox response teams of health care and emergency workers would be created, and members. Smallpox biological warfare coastal carolina research center. Its eradication culminated a decadelong world health organization.
Silent weapons website that the heritage of documentary, and the ways in which contemporary filmmakers must work in response to it, is most clearly outlined. Smallpox does still exist in labs around the world though. Mar 19, 2002 judging by commentators reactions, smallpox 2002 silent weapon, screened by the bbc in the uk but to be shown in many countries, was an outstanding success in provoking fear and loathing over an epidemic triggered by a terrorist releasing the virus. With brian cox, bolen high, leigh zimmerman, tara hugo. I saw this a while ago and to be honest, i reckon that messrs chinn and perceval have a lot to answer for. Dec 31, 2017 fx network thriller about a worldwide terroist attack using smallpox as a very effective wmd. Mar 21, 2011 its not just two vials stored safely away in government research facilities.
If it has reminded public health and public authorities graphically of a terrible disease, then it will have done. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Over the course of its 27year history, the program weaponized and stockpiled the following seven bioagents and pursued basic research on many more. No escape 1997 a demented terrorist launches nuclear missiles under the sea triggering a wave of tsunami that devastate the coast of southern california. Eradication of this disease was considered as a major public health achievement for human kind in the last century. Ppt whole image negotiation powerpoint presentation. Silent weapon 2002 explores the devastating effects of a smallpox attack on the us. Silent weapon eradicated from the world in 1977, smallpox reemerged as a potential terrorist weapon at the end of the 20 th century. The issue of whether or not to destroy the official stockpiles of the smallpox virus has been vigorously debated. In the days that follow, the virus spreads to others. The last outbreak occurred in 1977, it was successfully contained, and the eradication campaign passed into the history books as one of the 20th centurys greatest achievements. We wanted to create a new television format to explore this pressing global issue in a powerful and emotive way.
This is the second article in a series of papers addressing issues related to biological warfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox 2002 fiction and reality collide in a future devastated by the effects of a biochemical weapon. Directed by daniel percival, who also made the 2002 britishtv film smallpox 2002. Since then he has also appeared on the uk soap family affairs, several episodes. Silent weapon 2002 problem with the lone nut aspect of the story. Amherst college, for one, is an ivy league school that has educated may of americas most brilliant leaders and scientists. Smallpox occupational safety and health administration. I do have a problem with the origin of the outbreak apparently being a lonenut, presumably some christian fanatic who is carrying out some fantasy of. Smallpox 2002 silent weapon, bbc2, tuesday february 5, 9pm10. Collette flight was an assistant producer on smallpox 2002 silent weapon, a walltowall production for bbc current affairs. The united states biological weapons program officially began in spring 1943 on orders from u. Volume 12, issue 6 pages r193r228, 439514 19 march 2002.
The mortality rate for smallpox is approximately 30%. Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by one of two virus variants, variola major and variola minor. This chapter explores developments in british docudrama in the twentyfirst century, in particular the strategies of reflexivity and hybridization which have engaged instructively with the nature of the genre and extended its reach and grasp. Starting in new york the attack is ruthlessly carried out by one man travelling around the city infecting people as he goes. The british considered using smallpox as a biological warfare agent during the french and indian wars 175463, against france and its native american allies at the siege of fort pitt. Silent weapon both bbc, 2001 dramatised the fear of chemical and biological terrorist attack on urban areas already based on a postcold war reality the urban scenarios of both films partly referenced the tokyo anthrax attack of 20 march 1995. Fiction and reality collide in a future devastated by the effects of a biochemical weapon. Using hindsight and video diaries the film looks back on the global impact of a silent attack that affected the world.
Smallpox the ancient scourge of mankind eradicated 20 years ago could return as a weapon of terrorism, one of the worlds leading experts warns today. The silent weapon 2002 is an excellent semidocumentary that mixes a story about a smallpox outbreak with interviews with experts. It has killed more people throughout history than any other infectious disease, including the bubonic plague. Silent weapon is a fictional docudrama produced by wall to wall, showing how a single act of bioterrorism leads to terrifying consequences globally. Smallpox was a dreaded disease and inflicted pain, stigma, anguish and death over the centuries. Volume 12, issue 6 pages r193r228, 439514 19 march 2002 download full issue. Anthrax and other biological weapons, junior league of wichita, wichita, ks nov 2001.
Bioterrorism the virus smallpox used as a biological weapon. On december, 2002, president bush announced an ambitious smallpox vaccination plan. Feb 16, 2007 smallpox 2002 fiction and reality collide in a future devastated by the effects of a biochemical weapon. The committee on smallpox vaccination program implementation is pleased to offer you the fourth in a series of brief reports providing timely advice to assist centers for disease control and prevention cdc and its partners in their implementation of the vaccination program. Smallpox 2002 silent weapon was based upon a far less reassuring script. The years for each continent correspond to the year. Previous article smallpox 2002 silent weapon next article cadherinlike domains in. Jun 04, 2014 in may 2014, the world health assembly met in geneva to debate the destruction of the world last know stockpiles of the variola virus, which causes smallpox.
Smallpox was a scourge of the american colonies, decimating native american populations and then playing a part in the revolutionary war. Feb 06, 2002 smallpox 2002 silent weapon, bbc2, tuesday february 5, 9pm10. The bioterror bible is a website by david chase taylor which exposes the coming bioterror pandemic. Dec, 2002 dec, 2002 cidrap news in a brief statement today, president george w. Wall to wall television bbc current affairs fx drama. It occasionally uses real scientists to produce a chillingly scientifically accurate what if scenario. British soldiers had better immunity to the disease than the colonial troops, and may have even used it as a weapon. Silent weapon 20 th century fox, 2002, 100 min, tv, dir. While the disease was completely eradicated by 1980 with successful use of smallpox vaccine, concern has been raised that smallpox may emerge as a tool of bioterrorism. Ppt bacillus anthracis powerpoint presentation free to. Man in the high castle series 4 director showrunner company.
Biological hazards and bioterrorism free coursework from. We began production on smallpox 2002 in february 2001. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in october 1977, and the world health organization who certified the global eradication of the disease in 1980. The risks of breaches in biosecurity will continue to rise, and the. During the 14th century, in eastern europe, the corpses of plague victims were catapulted over the walls of a city under siege. Silent weapon is a fictional docudrama produced by wall to wall, showing how a single act of bioterrorism leads to terrifying consequences. Eradicated from the world in 1977, smallpox re emerged as a potential terrorist weapon at the end of the 20th century.
The focus of this session of the workshop was an assessment of known threats. There impact upon developing countries would be catastrophic. Smallpox is equally urgent because of its capability for persontoperson transmission and the large number of completely susceptible individuals in the. Daniel percival was shown on fx again on jan 2, 2005. Bush announces smallpox vaccination plan for military, health. The last outbreak occurred in 1977, it was successfully contained, and the eradication campaign passed into the history books as. Its deliberate release in 2002 leads to the most devastating global plague ever known. Current biology vol 12, issue 6, pages r193r228, 439. Any country or terrorist organization willing to pay for it may already have their hands on fully weaponized smallpox ready for delivery. Feb 17, 2011 colette flight explores the controversial development of biological warfare. Smallpox virus, an orthopoxvirus with a narrow host range confined to humans, was an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world until recent times. Smallpox 2002 silent weapon media the guardian uwe krupp wikipedia nickol kovalchuk 5 facts about ilya kovalchuks wife. Judging by commentators reactions, smallpox 2002 silent weapon, screened by the bbc in the uk but to be shown in many countries, was an outstanding success in provoking fear and loathing over an epidemic triggered by a terrorist releasing the virus.
The network prefaces the movies with a disclaimer that the film is for entertainment only and is fictitious, reminding us of orson wells and his war of the worlds radio broadcast in the 1930s. S mallpox is the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. Smallpox, on the other hand, is a silent, ongoing, invisible. In the first documented case of biological warfare, in the 18th century, contaminated blankets used by smallpox patients were distributed. Pdf to describe a general overview of smallpox, clinical presentation, diagnosis. Smallpox is spread by humantohuman contact with an infected host and therefore can be contagious. Weekes ryan miller wikipedia 199899 eric lindros flyers game worn jersey.
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