What are the categories of biological agents?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins.
What are the three categories of biological agents?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) breaks biological agents into three categories: Category A, Category B, and Category C.
How many types of biological agents are there?
A biological agent is an infectious disease. They can be naturally occurring or be used in biological warfare. There are more than 1200 different kinds of biological agents, some of which can be used as biological weapons.
What is the consideration in the category of bioterrorism agents disease by CDC?
To determine the risks from various agents, the CDC considers their effect on human health, the degree of contagiousness or method of transfer to humans, and the availability and effectiveness of vaccines and therapies to prevent and treat illness.
Which category of biological agents includes agents that have some potential for dissemination as well as agents of concern for food and water safety?
Category C Biological agents that have undergone some development for widespread dissemination but do not otherwise meet the criteria for Category A, as well as several biological agents of concern for food and water safety, are included in this category.
How many categories of bioterrorism are classified CDC?
Bioterrorism agents can be separated into three categories, depending on how easily they can be spread and the severity of illness or death they cause. Category A agents are considered the highest risk and Category C agents are those that are considered emerging threats for disease.
What is a category A pathogen?
Category A pathogens are those organisms/biological agents that pose the highest risk to national security and public health 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.
Which are examples of Category B bioterrorism?
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)
What are the two categories of bioterrorism?
Bioterrorism agents are divided into three categories based on their ease of spread and the severity of illness they cause. Category A agents are most dangerous, and Category C agents are current emerging threats. Require special action for public health preparedness.
