According to CDC Category A bioterrorism-agent designations, which of the following is included?
Botulism
Brucellosis
Cholera
Typhus
Hantavirus
Show Answer and Explanations
Botulism — Correct answer
Correct. Botulism, caused by toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, is included among CDC Category A bioterrorism agents. Cite a current authoritative CDC bioterrorism-agent resource with this item because category designations should be verified against an up-to-date public-health source.
Brucellosis
Incorrect. Brucellosis is not included among CDC Category A bioterrorism agents. Brucellosis, the epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens, water contaminants (such as Vibrio cholerae and cryptosporidium), food contaminants (such as Staph. Aureus, Salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella), Q fever (Coxiella burnetti), Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) Glanders (Burkholderia mallei), Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei), ricin toxin (castor beans - Ricinus communis), Abrin toxin (rosary peas - Abrus precatorius), Staph. enterotoxin B, Typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii), and viral encephalitis (alphaviruses such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis etc.) are class B bioterrorism agents.
Cholera
Incorrect. Cholera is a class B bioterrorism agent.
Typhus
Incorrect. Typhus is a class B bioterrorism agent.
Hantavirus
Incorrect. Hantavirus, Nipah virus (Henipavirus), SARS, influenza H1N1, and HIV are class C bioterrorism agents.
Summary
Summary: Botulism, smallpox, anthrax, Francisella tularemia, bubonic plague, and viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Marburg etc.) are included among CDC Category A bioterrorism agents.