Table 3.

Category A biological agents and their qualities.42, 43

Category A biological agents	Quality for selection by CDC
•Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) •Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin) •Plague (Y. pestis) •Smallpox (variola major) •Tularemia (Francisella tularensis) •Viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Filoviruses (Ebola, Marburg) and Arenaviruses (Lassa, Machupo)	1.Can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person 2.Result in high mortality rates and have potential for major public health impacts 3.Might cause social disruption and public panic 4.Require special action for public health preparedness