Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies potential bioterrorism agents into three categories, with Category A the most deadly.
Category A: These are the highest priority agents/diseases 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.
Specific Category A Agents/Diseases:
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
Plague (Yersinia pestis)
Smallpox (variola major)
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (including filoviruses such as Ebola and Marburg, as well as arenaviruses such as Lassa)
Bottom Line: With the exception of smallpox, these disease still occur in various parts of the globe including the United States. As can be seen by the current Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the U.S. public health system and healthcare providers must be prepared to recognize and treat these agents.
