180
11.2 Biothreats and Risk Level Assessment
The ability to identify counter bioterrorism depends on the information generated
by researchers on the disease-causing microorganisms and also on understanding
the immune system [10, 11]. It was shown that biothreat caused by biological agent
weapons could be classified on the following four criteria:
(i) the impending treat to cause morbidity and mortality in healthy individuals;
(ii) the potential of the biological agent to spread within the community;
(iii) the potential to elicit fear or panic alleged by the biological agent threat and;
(iv) the capability of public health responders to counteract and control the biothreat
In response to the possible biological threat, a list of selected biological agents
threat named the “Priority Pathogens” list was created for countermeasures, including vaccines. A complete list of these agents with their respective designations
(Category A–C) is presented in Table 11.1 [10].
11.2.1 Category A Agents
The Category A biological agents comprise four highly infectious pathogens that
can be transmitted as aerosols. Consequently, Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis,
smallpox (variola major), and Francisella tularensis were contemplated as being of
the greatest threat to public safety, because of their highly pathogenic nature, ability
to spread from person-to-person [12]. In addition, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT),
which can be aerosolized, belongs to Category A Agents, as it is one of the most
lethal known biological toxins [13]. It should be repeated that smallpox and anthrax
are the biothreats that pose the greatest risk for causing large numbers of casualties
in the event of an effective release by a terrorist group.
11.2.2 Category B Agents
The Category B biological agents are known to have the capability to moderately
disseminate, and are capable of inflicting moderate morbidity/low mortality.
Category B biological agents require specific improvements to the known standard
diagnostic capacity. The majority of the Category B agents attack the gastrointestinal tract and are introduced in the human system by food and water ingestion. Such
Category B agents that pose safety threats include the Salmonella and Shigella species, pathogenic Vibrios, enterotoxigenic E. coli, as well as toxins such as ricin,
staphylococcal enterotoxin B. In general, the Category B agents are not communicable from person to person but are rather easy to disperse to cause highly debilitating sicknesses that need immediate medical attention.
M. Bologna et al.
11.2 Biothreats and Risk Level Assessment
The ability to identify counter bioterrorism depends on the information generated
by researchers on the disease-causing microorganisms and also on understanding
the immune system [10, 11]. It was shown that biothreat caused by biological agent
weapons could be classified on the following four criteria:
(i) the impending treat to cause morbidity and mortality in healthy individuals;
(ii) the potential of the biological agent to spread within the community;
(iii) the potential to elicit fear or panic alleged by the biological agent threat and;
(iv) the capability of public health responders to counteract and control the biothreat
In response to the possible biological threat, a list of selected biological agents
threat named the “Priority Pathogens” list was created for countermeasures, including vaccines. A complete list of these agents with their respective designations
(Category A–C) is presented in Table 11.1 [10].
11.2.1 Category A Agents
The Category A biological agents comprise four highly infectious pathogens that
can be transmitted as aerosols. Consequently, Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis,
smallpox (variola major), and Francisella tularensis were contemplated as being of
the greatest threat to public safety, because of their highly pathogenic nature, ability
to spread from person-to-person [12]. In addition, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT),
which can be aerosolized, belongs to Category A Agents, as it is one of the most
lethal known biological toxins [13]. It should be repeated that smallpox and anthrax
are the biothreats that pose the greatest risk for causing large numbers of casualties
in the event of an effective release by a terrorist group.
11.2.2 Category B Agents
The Category B biological agents are known to have the capability to moderately
disseminate, and are capable of inflicting moderate morbidity/low mortality.
Category B biological agents require specific improvements to the known standard
diagnostic capacity. The majority of the Category B agents attack the gastrointestinal tract and are introduced in the human system by food and water ingestion. Such
Category B agents that pose safety threats include the Salmonella and Shigella species, pathogenic Vibrios, enterotoxigenic E. coli, as well as toxins such as ricin,
staphylococcal enterotoxin B. In general, the Category B agents are not communicable from person to person but are rather easy to disperse to cause highly debilitating sicknesses that need immediate medical attention.
M. Bologna et al.