2.1 Biological Agent AssessmentAssessment of the biological agent must examine what the agent is and which risk group it belongs to.2.1.1 Risk FactorsBacteria, viruses, fungi or other infectious agents are studied because they cause disease. Since manyof these agents are pathogenic to humans, animals, or other forms of life, their use poses risks whichvary with each agent and the way it is used. PHAC has developed the Laboratory Biosafety Guidelineswhich can be used to assist in classifying biological agents into different Risk Groups. Pathogen risksare determined by weighing a number of factors associated with the biological agent. The factors usedare described below:Pathogenicity: Pathogenicity is the ability for biological material (including toxins) to infect a human,animal, or plant host.Virulence: Virulence is defined as the severity of the disease that the pathogenic biological agentcauses. When examining the severity of the disease, pathogenic biological agents that willcause death are considered to be the most virulent. The duration of the disease is also afactor. Microorganisms causing chronic illness have a greater virulence to those causing acutesymptoms.
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