Bioterrorism

CDC Bioterrorism Agents

Category A
	·         Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
	·         Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
	·         Plague (Yersinia pestis)
	·         Smallpox (Variola major)
	·         Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
	·         Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and
	arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo])

Category B
	·         Brucellosis (Brucella species)
	·         Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens
	·         Food safety threats (e.g., Salmonella species, Escherichia coli O157:H7,
	·         Shigella)
	·         Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)
	·         Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
	·         Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
	·         Q fever (Coxiella burnetii)
	·         Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans)
	·         Staphylococcal enterotoxin B
	·         Typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii)
	·         Viral encephalitis (alphaviruses [e.g., Venezuelan equine encephalitis,
	eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis])
	·         Water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)

Category C

·         Emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus and hantavirus

 

Category A Diseases/Agents

The U.S. public health system and primary healthcare providers must be prepared to address various biological agents, including pathogens that are rarely seen in the United States. High-priority agents include organisms that pose a risk to national security because they

·         can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person;

·         result in high mortality rates and have the potential for major public health impact;

·         might cause public panic and social disruption; and

·         require special action for public health preparedness.

Category B Diseases/Agents

Second highest priority agents include those that

·         are moderately easy to disseminate;

·         result in moderate morbidity rates and low mortality rates; and

·         require specific enhancements of CDC's diagnostic capacity and enhanced disease surveillance.

Category C Diseases/Agents

Third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future because of

·         availability;

·         ease of production and dissemination; and

·         potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impact.

Citation:  CDC | Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases (by Category) | Emergency Preparedness & Response (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/agentlist-category.asp)