News and Announcements

New Tier 1 Select Agent

9/23/2016

On September 14th, 2016,  the CDC/HHS added Bacillius cereus Biovar anthracis to the list of HHS select agents and toxins as a Tier 1 select agent.  This species is being added because it harbors two virulence-associated plasmids (pBCXO1 and PBCXO2) that are very similar to the virulence-associated plasmids (pXO1 and pXO2) found in B. anthracis which is currently listed as a tier 1 select agent.  The announcement of the Interim Final Rule 42 CFR Part 73 and link to the federal register can be found here; http://www.selectagents.gov/whatsnew.html. 

If you are in possession of this agent, please contact DRS by October 7th at ibc@illinois.edu.