Biological Agent

A biological agent is an Infectious Disease , or Toxin that can be used in Bioterrorism or Biological Warfare . There are more than 1200 different kinds of biological agents.

Biological agents include Prion s, Microorganism s ( Virus es, Bacteria and Fungi ) and some unicellular and multicellular Eukaryote s (for example Parasite s) and their associated Toxin s. They have the ability to adversely affect human Health in a variety of ways, ranging from Allergic Reactions that are usually relatively mild, to serious medical conditions, even Death . These organisms are ubiquitous in the natural environment; they are found in water, soil, plants, and animals. Because many biological agents reproduce rapidly and require minimal resources for preservation, they are a potential danger in a wide variety of occupational settings.

Examples of biological agents are Anthrax , Avian Influenza , Botulism , Foodborne Illness , Hantavirus ,
Legionnaires' Disease , Mold s and Fungi , Pneumonic Plague , Smallpox , Tularemia , and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever s (VHFs).

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