ePATHogen - Risk Group Database
To conduct a search, enter the biological agent name, or partial name, into the search term field. If the search is unsuccessful, search for the biological agent under an alternate name, if one exists. Advanced searches may also be conducted on data from any of the included fields. You can click on any biological agent listed in the search results to obtain further information. Search results can be exported to a spreadsheet program, for example Excel, using the export results functionality.
Blank results indicate that the biological agent has not been assessed.
In most cases, risk group classification and /or toxin regulatory information for human and terrestrial animal biological agents is indicated at the species level; however, in some cases, strain-level classifications are listed. Please note that modification of biological agents, both natural and engineered, may change the risk group classification. In these cases, a pathogen risk assessment must be conducted.
For import and regulatory requirements on aquatic animal pathogens, bee pathogens, and terrestrial animal pathogens causing a foreign animal disease (FAD) or emerging animal disease (EAD), please visit CFIA's Importing, transferring and containment requirements for handling pathogens webpage.
For import and regulatory requirements on plant pests, please visit CFIA's Plant Import Procedures webpage.
Disclaimer
The information provided in ePathogen regarding animal pathogens under the authority of the CFIA is non-exhaustive. Users are responsible for verifying all applicable requirements by consulting CFIA’s webpage or contacting CFIA’s Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety (OBCS) directly.
For all other questions related to the risk group classification of biological agents, please contact us.
Database last updated (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS): 2025-12-03 03:00:35 EST
Registry of Human Pathogens and Toxins
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Column Descriptors
- Name
- Biological agent name
- Type
- Type of biological agent
- Classification human
- Human risk group classification, or regulated/non-regulated human toxin
- Classification animal
- Terrestrial animal risk group classification, or regulated/non-regulated terrestrial animal toxin
- SSBA
- Security Sensitive Biological Agent. Additional security requirements apply.
- CFIA
- Animal pathogen under the authority of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
This database currently identifies terrestrial animal pathogens causing an FAD or EAD, aquatic animal pathogens, and bee pathogens under CFIA’s regulatory authority. However, the database is not exhaustive.
Note that CFIA has authority under the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations to issue Animal Pathogen Import Permits and Animal Pathogen Transfer Permits for:- any terrestrial or aquatic animal pathogen or part thereof in an animal product or animal by-product
- any terrestrial or aquatic animal pathogens or part thereof in a live animal
- all non-indigenous terrestrial animal pathogens or part thereof (that is, FAD and EAD agents)
- all non-human primate (NHP) products and NHP by-products
- all aquatic animal pathogens
- all bee pathogens
- specified risk materials (SRM) and other products that can carry prions
- Info
- More information on considerations for containment, including SSBA trigger quantities and other regulatory insights, are available for this agent.