Biological Warfare (also known as Warfare, Biological, Biologic Warfare): The use of biological agents in warfare. This includes the malevolent use of BACTERIA; VIRUSES; or other BIOLOGICAL TOXINS against people, ANIMALS; or PLANTS.

NIH MeSH · D001694Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena

Biological Warfare

Also known asWarfare, Biological · Biologic Warfare · Warfare, Biologic · Biowarfare · Biowarfares · Bacterial Warfare · Warfare, Bacterial

Definition

The use of biological agents in warfare. This includes the malevolent use of BACTERIA; VIRUSES; or other BIOLOGICAL TOXINS against people, ANIMALS; or PLANTS.

MeSH classification

  • I01.880.735.950.500.226

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Related concepts

Bioterrorism

The use of biological agents in TERRORISM. This includes the malevolent use of BACTERIA; VIRUSES; or other BIOLOGICAL TOXINS against people,…

Chemical Terrorism

The use of chemical agents in TERRORISM. This includes the malevolent use of nerve agents, blood agents, blister agents, and choking agents …

Chemical Warfare

Tactical warfare using incendiary mixtures, smokes, or irritant, burning, or asphyxiating gases.

Ethnic Cleansing

Expulsion of a population from a given territory due to religious or ethnic discrimination, political, strategic or ideological consideratio…

Common questions about Biological Warfare

What does Biological Warfare mean in medicine?
The use of biological agents in warfare. This includes the malevolent use of BACTERIA; VIRUSES; or other BIOLOGICAL TOXINS against people, ANIMALS; or PLANTS. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Biological Warfare known by any other names?
Yes. Biological Warfare is also referred to as Warfare, Biological, Biologic Warfare, Warfare, Biologic, Biowarfare in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Biological Warfare sit in the medical classification?
Biological Warfare falls under the broader medical category "Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: I01.880.735.950.500.226). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Biological Warfare?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D001694) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗