What is a HHS or “overlap” select agent or toxin?
A HHS select agent is a biological agent or toxin that has the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. There are currently 41 agents and toxins listed in the CDC regulation found in Part 73 of Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins). In addition, the USDA is responsible for establishing a list of agents and toxins that has the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products. These regulations can be found in Part 331, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (Plants) and Part 121, Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (Animals). Those select agent and toxins that are regulated by both CDC and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are referred to as “overlap” select agents and toxins.
