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.
Category A
High-priority agents include organisms that pose a risk to national security because they can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to a 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.
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.
Water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)
Category C
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. These pathogens include emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus and hantavirus.
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