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Emergency Preparedness

BIOTERRORISM AGENTS & DISEASES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Category A, B, & C Agents by Definition:

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

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