Which of the following is a true statement about CDC Bioterrorism Category A agents?

• A. Anthrax, Botulism, Plague
• B. Rabies, Bluetongue, Pasteurella
• C. Plague, Hantavirus, and Anthrax
• D. Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg

Answer: (A)

Category A agents are the highest priority bioterrorism threats because they can be spread easily or cause rapid, widespread illness with high mortality, demanding immediate public health action. Anthrax, botulinum toxin, and plague are classic examples that embody these criteria: anthrax can spread through spores and survive in the environment, botulinum toxin is extraordinarily potent and any amount can cause severe disease, and plague can cause rapid, deadly outbreaks with the potential for person-to-person transmission in pneumonic form. These properties make them the ones typically highlighted when teaching Category A agents.

The other options include agents or toxins that are not regarded as top-tier Category A threats in standard lists, such as organisms mainly of veterinary concern or those with different risk rankings in various classifications. While some viral hemorrhagic fevers (like Ebola and Marburg) are of great concern, the exact categorization can vary by list, which is why the trio of anthrax, botulinum toxin, and plague is the most consistently recognized set for illustrating Category A.