Biological agents are often classified based on their potential to cause harm. One common system categorizes them into four risk groups:
Risk Group 1: Agents that are unlikely to cause human disease. Risk Group 2: Agents that can cause human disease but are unlikely to be a serious hazard. Effective treatment and preventative measures are available. Risk Group 3: Agents that can cause serious human disease and present a significant risk. Preventative and therapeutic interventions may be available. Risk Group 4: Agents that are highly likely to cause severe human disease and pose a high risk to individuals and the community. Effective treatment and preventive measures are not usually available.
