These agents are dangerous, highly virulent organisms that should NEVER be manipulated on an open bench! Laboratory infections can occur and the use of a class II, or higher, biological safety cabinets (BSC) is critical when aerosols are likely.
The importance of following facility specific safety protocols and standard microbiology practices at ALL times cannot be understated.
| Agent | Biosafety Level | Laboratory Exposure Risk |
| B. anthracis | BSL-2 | Low |
| Y. pestis | BSL-2/3 | Medium |
| F. tularensis | BSL-2/3 | High |
| Brucella species | BSL-2/3 | High |
| Burkholderia species | BSL-2/3 | High |
