Which of the following is an example of a zoonotic disease listed among CDC's Bioterrorism Category A agents?

• A. Anthrax, Botulism, and Plague
• B. Smallpox, Tularemia, and Brucellosis
• C. Q Fever, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Nipah virus
• D. Ricin, Botulism, and Smallpox

Answer: (A)

Category A bioterrorism agents include diseases that are highly dangerous and often zoonotic, meaning they can move between animals and humans. Anthrax and plague are classic zoonotic diseases that appear on the CDC’s Category A roster, reflecting their high-risk nature and potential for widespread impact. Anthrax can involve livestock and can be transmitted to humans, while plague is typically transmitted from rodents to humans via fleas, posing serious illness risks. In the options given, this group directly highlights two true Category A zoonoses. By contrast, a toxin like botulinum toxin is not a disease, smallpox is human-specific (not zoonotic), and other items listed are either non-zoonotic or fall into Category B rather than Category A.