CDC Bioterrorism Agents

Category A ¾ Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) ¾ Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin) ¾ Plague (Yersinia pestis) ¾ Smallpox (variola major) ¾ Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) ¾ Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo])

Category B ¾ Brucellosis (Brucella species) ¾ Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens ¾ Food safety threats (e.g., Salmonella species, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella) ¾ Glanders (Burkholderia mallei) ¾ Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei) ¾ Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) ¾ Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) ¾ Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans) ¾ Staphylococcal enterotoxin B ¾ Typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii) ¾ Viral encephalitis (alphaviruses [e.g., Venezuelan equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis]) ¾ Water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)

Category C ¾ 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.

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