ABSTRACT
Pathogens employed as biological weapons can be used for either lethal or incapacitating purposes. Effects may be due to the production of toxins by the organism. Pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, or rickettsiae. Many pathogen agents are normally animal diseases that can also infect people. Agents may be in the form of liquid containing active agents or freezedried powders. In addition, these pathogen agents are naturally transmitted by vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, lice, fleas), which provide a stable host for them in the environment.
