Bioterrorism and Biodefense

• Bioterrorism continues to pose a global threat due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts. • Early recognition of bioterrorism is critical to preserving individual and public health. Agents of bioterrorism concern are prioritized according to their potential to cause high mortality and major impact on public health (category A); to be associated with moderate morbidity (category B); or to represent emerging threats and future concerns (category C). • Clinical syndromes caused by agents of bioterrorism must be differentiated from those due to other, naturally occurring infectious diseases. • Biodefense represents the range of public health responses that can prevent or mitigate the effects of bioterrorism and of outbreaks of naturally occurring, emerging infectious diseases.