Advantage Outsiders
With the balance tilted against it, the Taliban regime will soon find itself vanquished.

Lull Before The Storm
Amid calls for a quick and decisive end to the conflict, Afghanistan has been abuzz with talk of an imminent Northern Alliance ground war against the Taliban.

History's Pointers
The Soviet Union's 10 years campaign in Afghanistan — a conflict that led to a humiliating withdrawal and, some say, its eventual breakup
— can be a learning experience for
the US.

COVER STORY: BIOTERRORISM

1.Inhalation: The deadliest form of infection, with 90 per cent fatality. When mixed with powder, anthrax spores are more easily inhaled. Influenza-like symptoms of fever and nausea occur.

2.Ingestion: After eating infected meat, symptoms like nausea, retching, abdominal pain and fever occur, followed by meningitis. Half the patients die if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

3.Skin Contact: Common route of infection through broken skin, after touching infected animal hides. Rashes appear after a couple of days and blacken after turning into fluid-filled vesicles.

What is Anthrax?

The bacterium Bacillus anthraxis which causes anthrax, is a popular bio-weapon as its spores are heat-resistant and can stay alive for over 100 years. Once inside the body, the hard-shelled spores reproduce and discharge toxins that eventually cause organ failure.

The Treatment
Anthrax in the early stages can be treated by antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or penicillin taken for 60 days. But once the toxin is released, antibiotics do not help.

OTHER SCARES

SMALLPOX
Variola Virus: It is hardy and deadly, making it an ideal weapon. It kills one in three people it infects. It spreads from person to person. Symptoms include high fever and a rash. There is no cure, but vaccines taken after infection could prevent death.

PLAGUE
Yersinia Pestis: "The Black Death' is highly contagious and almost always fatal if untreated. Symptoms, including fever and delirium, appear in three or four days when the bacteria reaches the lungs. Antibiotics are effective when administered promptly.

BOTULISM
Clostridium Botulinum: This deadly nerve botulinum toxin seeps through the gut, lungs or broken skin, paralysing before killing. Initial symptoms are nausea diarrhoea, slurred speech, and dizziness. An antitoxin can sometimes arrest the process.

TYPHOID
Salmonella Typhii: It spreads easily through food and drink. It causes typhoid fever, with high temperature, weakness and loss of appetite. Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin are effective.

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