Bioterrorism Agents: Category A Diseases with Weaponization Potential

The CDC Category A bioterrorism agents are high-priority pathogens posing the greatest risk to national security due to:

• Easy dissemination/transmission
• High mortality
• Potential for major public health impact
• Public panic/social disruption
• Requiring special preparedness

Category A Agents

1. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis): Spores, inhalational anthrax ~80-90% fatal untreated.
2. Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin): Most potent toxin; flaccid paralysis; foodborne, inhalational, wound.
3. Plague (Yersinia pestis): Pneumonic plague – person-to-person aerosol spread; high mortality.
4. Smallpox (Variola virus): Eradicated 1980; only stocks in US/Russia; high mortality, no herd immunity now.
5. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis): Highly infectious aerosol; ulceroglandular, pneumonic forms.
6. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, Machupo – high mortality, some person-to-person spread.

Note on Tuberculosis

TB is a major global killer but not Category A – slower transmission, effective treatment, not ideal for acute bioweapon use.

Public health preparedness includes stockpiles (antitoxins, vaccines, antibiotics), surveillance (BioWatch), and response plans.