What type of act is specifically intended to injure and kill civilians, often leading to increased psychiatric issues?

Bioterrorism refers specifically to the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. This type of act is designed to instill fear in the civilian population, leading to chaos and panic, and unfortunately, it often results in extensive psychological trauma among the survivors and the broader community. The intent behind bioterrorism is malicious, directly aiming to inflict harm and suffering on civilians, which can exacerbate issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within affected populations.

Other options, while related to emergencies, do not carry the same intent to harm civilians. A disaster is a general term for events that cause significant disruption, while a calamity refers to serious events causing distress or suffering. Natural disasters include events like earthquakes or hurricanes that occur without human intention and typically involve widespread destruction but are not aimed at intentionally harming civilians.