Emergency Preparedness: Biological Weapons

Course overview

Bioterrorism, or a bioterrorist attack, occurs when someone knowingly releases biological weapons or agents to infect people, animals, or food (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020a). Biological weapons or agents are a subset of weapons of mass destruction that are bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other toxins that negatively impact human health (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], n.d.). They may be naturally occurring or engineered for bioterrorism. Despite efforts to eradicate the use of biological weapons, bioterrorist threats against the U.S. remain concerning, and preparation remains essential for national security.