Bioterrorism is the deliberate or threatened use of bacteria, viruses or toxins to cause disease, death, disruption or fear.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified agents most likely to be used for biological warfare. They are divided into Categories A, B and C based on how easy they are to obtain, weaponize and disseminate, and how much death, damage or fear they might cause.

Visit the CDC's website for information on specific agents and diseases that might be used in a bioterrorism event - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/.

For more resources dealing with biological warfare and large-scale disease outbreaks, visit our Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program page.