1. Context

Today, certain biological agents pose a very serious threat to public health, both from unintentional events (pollution, contamination, etc.) and from potential misuse. These agents may be viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites or toxins.

Of all pathogenic or toxic biological agents, only a very small number are likely to be used as biological weapons (biological warfare or bioterrorism). Indeed, the potential of an agent to become a weapon depends on its toxicity or infectious power, the quantity needed to produce an effect, and its capacity to be disseminated in the form of aerosols (particles 1...