As a public health veterinarian, I knew that many of the biological organisms identified as potential agents of bioterrorism occur naturally in North America, specifically Texas which is situated on the southern border of the United States of America. Texas has enzootic foci of anthrax, tularemia, and plague. Mosquito-borne encephalitides such as Saint Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, and most recently West Nile Virus occur in our geographic region. We have had cases of hemorrhagic fever (Ebola alice) in primate colonies in Texas. Dengue is endemic in countries immediately to our south. Vibrio species infections are identified in association with our seafood and shellfish industry in the Gulf of Mexico. It is not unusual for sporadic human cases of infection with these organisms to be diagnosed by clinicians in Texas. The teaching challenge was to accomplish our goal of "heightened awareness" for agents of bioterrorism and also make the seminars relevant to the daily practice of medicine (4).