<prompt> Which amongst the following biological agents carries the highest potential for use as biological weapons for microbial bioterrorism: September 2012Plague Yersinia pestisSmall pox Variola majorBotulism Cl. botulinumBrucellosis Brucella sp.  <response>: Ans: A i.e. Plague Yersinia pestis Bacterial pathogens and their products are potential agents of biological terrorism and biological warfare. These agents can be deployed through simple aerosol delivery systems and thereby cause widespread disease and death. Category A: Category A agents are the highest-priority pathogens. They pose the greatest risk to national security. They include: Anthrax Bacillus anthracis Botulism Clostridium botulinum toxin Plague Yersinia pestis Smallpox Variola major Tularemia Francisella tularensis Viral hemorrhagic fevers Arenaviruses: Lassa, New World Machupo, Junin, Guanarito, and Sabia Bunyaviridae: Crimean Congo, Rift Valley Filoviridae: Ebola, Marburg 