Bioterrorism

Preparing for Bioterrorism Attacks

We know that the technology to make weapons out of disease-spreading organisms and toxins is potentially available to people who might be willing to use it. Because the consequences of such an attack could be severe, we need to be prepared to respond as quickly and effectively as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Potential Bioagents

The following organisms and toxins are among those the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is most concerned about. These organisms are the most easily spread, the most likely to cause widespread illness and death, and the easiest to spread intentionally.

All fact sheets are in PDF format.

• Anthrax   English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
  
  
• Botulism  English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
  
  
• Plague  English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
  
  
• Smallpox  English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
  
  
• Tularemia  English | Spanish | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
  
  
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers   English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese