Which CDC bioterrorism agent class is defined by high threat to public health, high potential for spread or fatalities, and potential for social disruption?

Which CDC bioterrorism agent class is defined by high threat to public health, high potential for spread or fatalities, and potential for social disruption?

• A. Class B agents
• B. Class C agents
• C. Not classified
• D. Class A agents

Answer: (D)

This item is about the highest-priority category the CDC uses to classify bioterrorism agents. The defining traits of this category are that the agents pose a high threat to public health, have a high potential for wide spread or for causing fatalities, and could cause significant social disruption. Because of these severe impacts, they require the most urgent and comprehensive public health preparedness and response, including rapid detection, enhanced surveillance, distribution of countermeasures, and coordinated action across agencies. Examples commonly cited in this group include Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Variola virus (smallpox), Yersinia pestis (plague), botulinum toxin, Francisella tularensis (tularemia), and certain viral hemorrhagic fevers. The other categories describe agents that are less likely to cause such extensive harm or are emerging threats that don’t yet meet all three high-threat criteria. Therefore, the described characteristics align with the highest-priority group.

This item is about the highest-priority category the CDC uses to classify bioterrorism agents. The defining traits of this category are that the agents pose a high threat to public health, have a high potential for wide spread or for causing fatalities, and could cause significant social disruption. Because of these severe impacts, they require the most urgent and comprehensive public health preparedness and response, including rapid detection, enhanced surveillance, distribution of countermeasures, and coordinated action across agencies. Examples commonly cited in this group include Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Variola virus (smallpox), Yersinia pestis (plague), botulinum toxin, Francisella tularensis (tularemia), and certain viral hemorrhagic fevers. The other categories describe agents that are less likely to cause such extensive harm or are emerging threats that don’t yet meet all three high-threat criteria. Therefore, the described characteristics align with the highest-priority group.