Bioterrorism

What is bioterrorism? Bioterrorism is the intentional release or threat of release of biologic agents (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi or their toxins) in order to cause disease or death among human population or food crops and livestock to terrorize a civilian population or manipulate the government.
Concerns : The challenges posed by biological weapons are availability of multiple agents and delivery means, variable incubation periods, high mortality rates and potential for geographic dispersion of the agent (due to travel) during the incubation period. At times prompt identification or distinction between a bioterrorist attack and natural disease outbreak may be difficult. Many of the important prophylactic drugs/vaccines may not be available during a bioterrorist attack or have limited shelf lives and cannot be stockpiled.
Classification : The bioterrorist agents with highest priority are the causes of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), botulism (Clostridium botulinum), plague (Yersinia pestis), smallpox (variola major), tularaemia (Francisella tularensis) and viral haemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses and arena viruses). 
The biological weapons as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification are classified into three categories, Category A, B and C, based on the priority of the agents to pose a risk to the national security and the ease with which they can be disseminated.
Cateogry A : High priority agents include organisms that pose a risk to national security because they are:
•    Easily disseminated
•    Cause high mortality
•    Cause public panic and social disruption
•    Require special action for public health preparedness.
•    Agents : Arena viruses, Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax), Clostridium botulinum toxin (Botulism), Ebola virus (Ebola haemorrhagic fever), Filo viruses, Francisella tularensis (Tularemia), Junin virus (Argentinian haemorrhagic fever) and related viruses, Lassa virus (Lassa fever), Marburg virus (Marburg haemorrhagic fever), Variola major (Smallpox), Yersinia pestis (Plague)

Category B : Second highest priority agents include those that are:
•    Moderately easy to disseminate
•    Cause moderate morbidity
•    Require enhanced disease surveillance and public health diagnostic capacity
•    Agents : Alphaviruses, Brucella species (Brucellosis), Burkholderia mallei (Glanders), Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis viruses (EEE, WEE), Epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens, Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEE).
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Cateogry C : Third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens:
•    That could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future
•    Have potential for high morbidity, mortality and major health impact
•    Agents : Hanta viruses, Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), Nipah virus, Tick-borne encephalitis viruses, Tick-borne haemorrhagic fever viruses, Yellow fever virus (Yellow fever)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction.
-    Popularly known as Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of WMDs (biological and toxin weapons).
Key Features
It was negotiated by the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, Geneva.
•    Timeline: Opened for signature 10 April 1972; entered into force 26 March 1975; 50th anniversary in 2025.
•    Membership: 189 States Parties + 4 Signatories (near-universal).
•    Relation: Supplements 1925 Geneva Protocol.
Core Provisions
•    Article I: Never develop, produce, stockpile, acquire, or retain biological weapons.
•    Article II: Destroy existing weapons or divert to peaceful purposes.
•    Article IV: Enact national measures to prohibit/prevent such activities in territory/jurisdiction/control.