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.
What is a Category A bioterrorism agent?
Included among them are the Category A agents – anthrax, dengue, Ebola, smallpox, and tularemia – as well as Category B and C agents such as chikungunya, influenza, and Zika.
What is the consideration in the category of bioterrorism agents disease by CDC?
The US CDC biological agents biodefense evaluation criteria include: (1) can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person; (2) result in high mortality rates and have the potential for major public health impacts; (3) might cause public panic and social disruption; (4) require special action for public …
What are the four types of biological agents?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death.
What is a Category C agent?
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.
What are the six biological agents?
Along with smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism, and tularemia, hemorrhagic fever viruses are among six agents identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the most likely to be used as biological weapons.
What are the bioterrorism categories used for?
Category A consists of the highest risk biological agents and Category C consists of emerging threats for disease such as influenza and H1N1. An excellent example of the CDC Bioterrorism Agent Classification system is represented in the table below from Baylor College of Medicine.
What makes a bioterrorism agent a high priority?
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;
Are there any tests to detect bioterrorism agents?
In general, there are no readily available tests to screen asymptomatic individuals who may have been exposed to a bioterrorism agent. For those who are showing signs and symptoms, there are rapid molecular assays available to detect the bacterial and viral agents as well as immunoassays to detect toxins.
Are there any online courses for bioterrorism preparedness?
Each of these intermediate-level, interactive online course reviews a component of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) protocols for bioterrorism agent identification. The courses include case studies, real-life laboratory scenarios and links to resource information.
