Following the experience from Canada [11] , we did not focus on the exact numerical score assigned to a pathogen. The interpretation of the final weighted scores and their corresponding sequential ranks was done in priority groups reflecting four priority levels (the highest, high, medium and low priority). The cut-off limits for the groups were based on the equal ranges of 25 (0-25, 26-50, 51-75, 76-100). Distribution of the pathogens was later compared with their positions in the 2004 priority list.