Ideal characteristics of biological weapons targeting humans are high infectivity, high potency, non-availability of vaccines, and delivery as an aerosol.
Diseases most likely to be considered for use as biological weapons are contenders because of their lethality and robustness.
The biological agents used in biological weapons can often be manufactured quickly and easily.
The primary difficulty is not the production of the biological agent but delivery in an effective form to a vulnerable target.
Bioweapons can cause the following:
Multiple medical problems
May also cause:
Societal breakdowns, food shortages, transportation issues, and looting
After a bioweapon attack you will be faced with the rule of 3's basic survival skills
Protect yourself
Learn about the agent as soon as possible.
Wash you hands frequently
Exercise social distancing
Prepare for disruption of services
wear a respirator
protect your eyes
Wear medical gloves
Dispose of contaminated material properly
Learn about the agent being used
If exposed, get supportive medical care
Check to see if meds or vaccines are available
Take vitamins
Arm yourself
What is Bioterrorism?
A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to be spread into the environment. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Terrorists may use biological agents because they can be extremely difficult to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days. Some bioterrorism agents, like the smallpox virus, can be spread from person to person and some, like anthrax, can not. For information on which bioterrorism agents can be spread from person to person, please see the alphabetical list of bioterrorism agents.
Bioterrorism Agent Categories
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.
Category A
These high-priority agents include organisms or toxins that pose the highest risk to the public and national security because:
- They can be easily spread or transmitted from person to person
- They result in high death rates and have the potential for major public health impact
- They might cause public panic and social disruption
- They require special action for public health preparedness.
Category B
These agents are the second highest priority because:
- They are moderately easy to spread
- They result in moderate illness rates and low death rates
- They require specific enhancements of CDC's laboratory capacity and enhanced disease monitoring.
Category C
These third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass spread in the future because:
- They are easily available
- They are easily produced and spread
- They have potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impact.
Bio-terrorism Agents by Name
You can look for the bioterrorism agent by name on the A-Z List of Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases.
What You Can Do to Prepare for Bioterrorism
The CDC and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer questions and provide advice on steps you can take to prepare yourself and your loved ones in the event of a bioterrorist attack. For preparedness information and guidelines, please see Emergency Preparedness and You .
The Department of Homeland Security has established a website to provide information to the public about emergencies and emergency preparedness. For information on what to do in the event of a bioterrorist attack, please see Ready.gov.
More Resources
Preparation and Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies
NOTE: the following is a list of preparation and
planning resources related specifically to bioterrorism. For resources
relevant to preparation and planning for all types of emergencies, please see Emergency Preparedness and Response: Preparation and Planning.
Preparation & Planning for Specific Agents
Preparation & Planning for All Bioterrorism
- Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, & Tribal Public Health Directors
All-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are
responsible for initiating the public health response during the first
24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster.
- Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
May 2002. From the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, CDC
PDF (605 KB/40 pages)
- Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare Facilities (1.5 MB/34 pages)
- Guidance on Initial Responses to a Suspicious Letter/Container With a Potential Biological Threat (241 KB/6 pages)
Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on
the initial response to letters, packages, or containers containing
suspicious powders, liquids, or other materials. Developed by HHS/CDC,
FBI, & DHS.
- Cooperative Agreement Guidance for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Guidance for CDC emergency preparedness funding for states. CDC
has announced the availability of FY 2006 funding for continuation of
the cooperative agreements to upgrade state & local public health
jurisdictions’ preparedness for & response to bioterrorism, other
outbreaks of infectious disease, & other public health threats &
emergencies.
- Community-Based Mass Prophylaxis: A Planning Guide for Public Health Preparedness
Planning guide to help state, county, & local officials meet
federal requirements to prepare for public health emergencies. Outlines
five components of mass prophylaxis response to epidemic outbreaks.
Addresses dispensing operations using a comprehensive operational
structure for Dispensing/Vaccination Centers (DVCs) based on the
National Incident Management System (NIMS). (Developed by Weill Medical
College of Cornell University for the Agency of Healthcare Research
& Quality [AHRQ].)
- Public Health Response to Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Interim Planning Guidance for State Public Health Officials (1.12 MB/106 pages)
- MMWR: Biological & Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness & Response
Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup.
MMWR Recommendations & Reports 2000 Apr 21;49(RR-4);1-14.
PDF (204 KB/26 pages)
- Strategic National Stockpile
National repository of pharmaceuticals & medical supplies.
- Epi-X: The Epidemic Information Exchange
Secure, Web-based communications network connecting CDC with state
& local health departments, poison control centers, & other
public health professionals.
- Regulations to control communicable diseases (9 KB/1 page)
42 U.S.C. 264 (From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The
Public Health & Welfare; Chapter 6a--Public Health Service;
Subchapter Ii--General Powers & Duties.; Part G--Quarantine &
Inspection).
- Interstate Quarantine
From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health
& Welfare; Part 70. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.
- Foreign Quarantine
From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health
& Welfare; Part 71. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.
Additional Research & References
-
All-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are responsible for initiating the public health response during the first 24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster.
May 2002. From the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, CDC
PDF (605 KB/40 pages) (1.5 MB/34 pages) (241 KB/6 pages)Guidelines for local responders, based on existing procedures, on the initial response to letters, packages, or containers containing suspicious powders, liquids, or other materials. Developed by HHS/CDC, FBI, & DHS.
Guidance for CDC emergency preparedness funding for states. CDC has announced the availability of FY 2006 funding for continuation of the cooperative agreements to upgrade state & local public health jurisdictions’ preparedness for & response to bioterrorism, other outbreaks of infectious disease, & other public health threats & emergencies.
Planning guide to help state, county, & local officials meet federal requirements to prepare for public health emergencies. Outlines five components of mass prophylaxis response to epidemic outbreaks. Addresses dispensing operations using a comprehensive operational structure for Dispensing/Vaccination Centers (DVCs) based on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). (Developed by Weill Medical College of Cornell University for the Agency of Healthcare Research & Quality [AHRQ].)
(1.12 MB/106 pages)Recommendations of the CDC Strategic Planning Workgroup.
MMWR Recommendations & Reports 2000 Apr 21;49(RR-4);1-14.
PDF (204 KB/26 pages)National repository of pharmaceuticals & medical supplies.
Secure, Web-based communications network connecting CDC with state & local health departments, poison control centers, & other public health professionals.
(9 KB/1 page)42 U.S.C. 264 (From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Chapter 6a--Public Health Service; Subchapter Ii--General Powers & Duties.; Part G--Quarantine & Inspection).
From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 70. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.
From United States Code Annotated; Title 42; The Public Health & Welfare; Part 71. On U.S. Government Printing Office site.
