The exploitation of zoonotic biological agents in bioterrorism: a potential threat

The use of zoonotic biological agents in bioterrorism to cause injury or death is not a new concept. The term "bioterrorism", also known as biological attack, is the deliberate release of pathogenic microorganisms among human populations, livestock, and even food products, which leads to terror, and extensive economic damage by causing disease and death. The world has been involved in bioterrorism for hundreds of yearswhich dates back to the 14th century when corpses were thrown into enemy wells to poison drinking water. These agents include various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins (with microbial, plant, or animal origin). More than 30 biological warfare agents have been identified and classified based on their characteristics and use, all of which are zoonotic except smallpox, cholera, and shigellosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies biological agents into three groups; A, B, and C, and designates anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers as the group A agents, which pose the biggest risk for national security. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic also raised many questions about the biological use of coronaviruses. This article investigates the relationship between biological agents of zoonosis that may be used in bioterrorism to prepare for the quick resolution of possible crises.