Biological Threat Detection and Response Challenges Remain for Biowatch (REDACTED)
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DHS Biowatch Program
CASE STUDY: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BIOWATCH PROGRAM Overview: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has established the BioWatch Program as a partnership between federal, state and local governments to counter terrorism in the United States. This Program serves an early detection system that provides continuous monitoring for the aerosol release of biological agents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year in over 30 major population centers. The Program was developed by the Weapons of Mass Destruction and BioDefense Early Detection Division within Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control Laboratory Response Network and other partners. At the heart of the Program is a team composed of field, laboratory, and public health personnel respon- sible for daily collection and testing of air samples, providing analysis, result reporting and emergency response activities. Air sample filters are collected daily on a 24-hour collection cycle and transported to a BioWatch laboratory within the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) for analysis. Business Challenge: DHS sought a prime contractor to manage all aspects of the BioWatch Program. The role of the prime contractor was designed around the mission, goals and objectives of the Program including: ◆ Manage the staffing of the BioWatch Program locations - ◆ Provide Program management 126 scientific staff across 28 laboratories in 32 major metro- ◆ Maintain existing equipment and supplies at all -
Clinical Laboratory Preparedness and Response Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 State Information ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Laboratory Response Network (LRN) .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Other Emergency Preparedness Response Information: .................................................................................................... 19 Radiological Threats ......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Food Safety Threats .......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 BioWatch Program ............................................................................................................................................................................ 27 Bio Detection Systems -
“Defending the Homeland from Bioterrorism: Are We Prepared?”
2223 West Loop South Umair A. Shah, M.D., M.P.H. Houston, Texas 77027 Executive Director Tel: (713) 439-6000 Fax: (713) 439-6080 “Defending the Homeland from Bioterrorism: Are We Prepared?” Testimony of Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH Executive Director, Harris County Public Health, TX Past-President, National Association of County and City Health Officials Before the House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery October 17, 2019 I would like to thank Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Rogers, Subcommittee Chairman Payne, Ranking Member King, and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of local health departments and public health emergency responders across the country. My name is Dr. Umair Shah, and I am the Executive Director for Harris County Public Health (HCPH) and the Local Health Authority for Harris County, Texas. Harris County is the third most populous county in the United States with 4.7 million people and is home to the nation’s 4th largest city, Houston. I am a Past President and former Board Member of NACCHO, the National Association of County and City Health Officials. NACCHO is the voice of the nearly 3,000 local health departments (LHDs) across the country. I am also a Past President and current Board Member of TACCHO, the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials, which represents approximately 45 LHDs across Texas. As background, Harris County is the most culturally diverse and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. and home to the world’s largest medical complex, the Texas Medical Center, one of the nation’s busiest ports, the Port of Houston, and two of the nation’s busiest international airports. -
1 Hearing of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness
Hearing of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives “Defending the Homeland from Bioterrorism: Are We Prepared?” October 17, 2019 Statement for the Record Asha M. George, DrPH Executive Director, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Chairman Payne, Ranking Member King, and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for your invitation to provide the perspective of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. On behalf of our Commission – and as a former Subcommittee Staff Director and senior professional staff for this Committee – I am glad to have the opportunity today to discuss our findings and recommendations with respect to biological terrorism and national defense against biological threats. Our Commission assembled in 2014 to examine the biological threat to the United States and to develop recommendations to address gaps in national biodefense. Former Senator Joe Lieberman and former Secretary of Homeland Security and Governor Tom Ridge co- chair the Commission, and are joined by former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former Representative Jim Greenwood, former Homeland Security Advisor Ken Wainstein, and former Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism Advisor Lisa Monaco. Our commissioners possess many years of experience with national and homeland security. In October 2015, the Commission released its first report, A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Major Reform Needed to Optimize Efforts. Shortly thereafter, we presented our findings and recommendations to this Committee. We made 33 recommendations with 87 associated short-, medium-, and long-term programmatic, legislative, and policy action items. If implemented, these would improve federal efforts across the spectrum of biodefense activities – prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection and surveillance, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation. -
Biosecurity: a Comprehensive Action Plan Center for American Progress
Center for American Progress Biosecurity A Comprehensive Action Plan Andrew J. Grotto Jonathan B. Tucker Progressive Ideas for a Strong, Just, and Free America Biosecurity: A Comprehensive Action Plan Center for American Progress Biosecurity A Comprehensive Action Plan Andrew J. Grotto and Jonathan B. Tucker June 2006 After Guantanamo: A Special Tribunal for International Terrorist Suspects 1 Biosecurity: A Comprehensive Action Plan Center for American Progress Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i BIOLOGICAL THREATS FACING THE UNITED STATES 1 PREVENTING BIO-CATASTROPHES: THE NEED FOR A GLOBAL APPROACH 9 PREVENTING THE MISUSE OF THE LIFE SCIENCES 9 RECOMMENDATIONS STRENGTHENING BIOLOGICAL DISARMAMENT MEASURES 14 RECOMMENDATIONS 8 CONTAINING DISEASE OUTBREAKS: AN INTEGRATED PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGY 21 TIMELY DETECTION OF OUTBREAKS 22 RECOMMENDATIONS 0 RAPID CONTAINMENT OF OUTBREAKS 32 RECOMMENDATIONS 5 DEFENDING AGAINST BIOLOGICAL THREATS: AN INTEGRATED RESEARCH STRATEGY 37 REFORMING THE DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROCESS 38 RECOMMENDATIONS 41 RATIONALIZING BIODEFENSE SPENDING 42 RECOMMENDATIONS 44 GLOSSARY 47 Biosecurity: A Comprehensive Action Plan ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are deeply grateful to the following individuals for their valuable comments and criticisms on earlier drafts of this report: Bob Boorstin, Joseph Cirincione, P. J. Crowley, Richard Ebright, Gerald L. Epstein, Trevor Findlay, Brian Finlay, Elisa D. Harris, David Heyman, Ajey Lele, Dan Matro, Caitriona McLeish, Jonathan Moreno, Peter Ogden, Alan Pearson, Michael Schiffer, Laura Segal, and Bradley Smith. 4 Center for American Progress Executive Summary iological weapons and infectious diseases share several fundamental characteristics that the United States can leverage to counter both Bof these threats more effectively. Both a bioweapons attack and a natural pandemic, such as avian flu, can be detected in similar ways, and the effectiveness of any response to an outbreak of infectious disease, whether natural or caused deliberately by terrorists, hinges on the strength of the U.S. -
An Examination of the Potential Threat of a State-Sponsored Biological Attack Against the United States: a Study of Policy Implications
BearWorks MSU Graduate Theses Spring 2019 An Examination of the Potential Threat of a State-Sponsored Biological Attack Against the United States: A Study of Policy Implications Courtney Anne Pfluke Missouri State University, [email protected] As with any intellectual project, the content and views expressed in this thesis may be considered objectionable by some readers. However, this student-scholar’s work has been judged to have academic value by the student’s thesis committee members trained in the discipline. The content and views expressed in this thesis are those of the student-scholar and are not endorsed by Missouri State University, its Graduate College, or its employees. Follow this and additional works at: https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses Part of the American Politics Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, Health Policy Commons, Other Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons, and the Other International and Area Studies Commons Recommended Citation Pfluke, Courtney Anne, "An Examination of the Potential Threat of a State-Sponsored Biological Attack Against the United States: A Study of Policy Implications" (2019). MSU Graduate Theses. 3342. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3342 This article or document was made available through BearWorks, the institutional repository of Missouri State University. The work contained in it may be protected by copyright and require permission of the copyright holder for reuse or redistribution. For more information, please contact [email protected]. -
NRC BTRA Rpt 9 24 08--Final.Pdf
Department of Homeland Security Bioterrorism Risk Assessment: A Call for Change Committee on Methodological Improvements to the Department of Homeland Security's Biological Agent Risk Analysis, National Research Council ISBN: 0-309-12029-2, 180 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, (2008) This free PDF was downloaded from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12206.html Visit the National Academies Press online, the authoritative source for all books from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council: • Download hundreds of free books in PDF • Read thousands of books online, free • Sign up to be notified when new books are published • Purchase printed books • Purchase PDFs • Explore with our innovative research tools Thank you for downloading this free PDF. If you have comments, questions or just want more information about the books published by the National Academies Press, you may contact our customer service department toll-free at 888-624-8373, visit us online, or send an email to [email protected]. This free book plus thousands more books are available at http://www.nap.edu. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that this notice appears on the reproduced materials, the Web address of the online, full authoritative version is retained, and copies are not altered. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the National Academies Press. Department -
EOM Biowatch
BIOWATCH INTRODUCTION BioWatch is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program that operates as an early warning biodetection network. The program’s purpose is to detect pathogens, specifically agents of bioterrorism, that have been intentionally released in the air. Air samples are collected and routinely tested for the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of select organisms. A confirmed positive laboratory test is referred to as a BioWatch Actionable Result (BAR). The BioWatch system of air sampling and laboratory testing can assist public health officials in determining the presence of a biological release in the environment. Early warning of a biological release will enable local, state, and federal officials to assess risk to public health, initiate a criminal epidemiological investigation, and implement emergency response activities such as mass prophylaxis in order to mitigate the impact to the affected population. In California, DHS has identified BioWatch Jurisdictions that may cross the boundaries of Operational Areas (OAs) and mutual aid regions to cover a vast majority of the population. Each BioWatch Jurisdiction has a Jurisdictional Coordinator (JC) and BioWatch Advisory Committee (BAC). Each BAC operates independently of other BACs. The BACs are responsible for writing and updating plans and procedures for the BioWatch Jurisdiction, including sampling guides, laboratory operations, crisis communication, and notification protocols. In addition, a California BAC (CA BAC) shares information and planning efforts between the Jurisdictional Coordinators in California. Each BAC consists of representation from city and county health departments, emergency management, law enforcement, fire, transit, regional air quality management districts, BioWatch field and laboratory operations, and the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. -
Six Years After Anthrax: Are We Better Prepared to Respond to Bioterrorism?
S. Hrg. 110–558 SIX YEARS AFTER ANTHRAX: ARE WE BETTER PREPARED TO RESPOND TO BIOTERRORISM? HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION OCTOBER 23, 2007 Available via http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/index.html Printed for the use of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 38–988 PDF WASHINGTON : 2008 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate Aug 31 2005 15:03 Oct 23, 2008 Jkt 038988 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 P:\DOCS\38988.TXT SAFFAIRS PsN: PAT COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut, Chairman CARL LEVIN, Michigan SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii TED STEVENS, Alaska THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio MARK L. PRYOR, Arkansas NORM COLEMAN, Minnesota MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana TOM COBURN, Oklahoma BARACK OBAMA, Illinois PETE V. DOMENICI, New Mexico CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri JOHN WARNER, Virginia JON TESTER, Montana JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire MICHAEL L. ALEXANDER, Staff Director AARON M. FIROVED, Professional Staff Member BRANDON L. MILHORN, Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel ASHA A. MATHEW, Minority Senior Counsel TRINA DRIESSNACK TYRER, Chief Clerk (II) VerDate Aug 31 2005 15:03 Oct 23, 2008 Jkt 038988 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 5904 Sfmt 5904 P:\DOCS\38988.TXT SAFFAIRS PsN: PAT C O N T E N T S Opening statements: Page Senator Lieberman .......................................................................................... -
Continuing Concerns Over Biowatch and the Surveillance of Bioterrorism
Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives Continuing Concerns Over BioWatch and the Surveillance of Bioterrorism Toby Merlin, M.D. Director, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infection National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Department of Health and Human Services For Release upon Delivery Expected at 10:00 a.m. June 18, 2013 Continuing Concerns Over BioWatch and the Surveillance of Bioterrorism Page 1 Committee on Energy and Commerce Good morning Chairman Murphy, Ranking Member DeGette, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) BioWatch program. It is a pleasure to appear before you representing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Nation′s leading health protection agency. Throughout its history, CDC and its local, national, and international partners have worked to detect, respond to, and prevent health security threats. CDC works 24-7 to save lives and protect people from threats. I am Dr. Toby Merlin, Director of CDC’s Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections in the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases. Since the beginning of the BioWatch program, CDC has assisted DHS with several aspects of the program, including in the areas of laboratory testing and public health response. Today, I would like to describe how CDC collaborates with DHS on the BioWatch program, explain the related role that CDC’s Laboratory Response Network (LRN) plays in this program, and discuss CDC’s broader role in outbreak detection and response. -
Summary of Key Recommendations: Meeting to Solicit Stakeholder Input
Summary of Key Recommendations Meeting to Solicit Stakeholder Input on Forthcoming 2017 National Biodefense Strategy June 22, 2017 W Hotel, Washington, DC Introduction On June 22, 2017, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (Center for Health Security) convened a meeting in Washington, DC, to solicit stakeholder inputs to the forthcoming National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan (“the Strategy”) called for by the National Defense Authorization Act (Sec. 1086).1 The aims of the meeting were to consider the United States’ biological threat landscape; discuss existing programs, policies, and mechanisms for mitigating the broad spectrum of naturally occurring, accidental, and deliberate biological threats facing the nation; articulate unmet challenges in global, national, and subnational emergency preparedness and response efforts; and identify priorities for strengthening the United States’ national biodefense enterprise. The meeting featured participation from members of government, academia, and industry, including subject matter experts from a range of disciplines and sectors: public health, health care, emergency management, defense, the life sciences, veterinary science, agriculture, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry. A list of meeting participants is attached. The meeting provided an opportunity to share frank, open feedback about US biodefense strengths and limitations with federal officials who attended the meeting and who are leading the development of the Strategy. Comments made were not for attribution. The meeting was supported by the Open Philanthropy Project. The Center for Health Security did not attempt to reach stakeholder consensus on the topics discussed. What follows is the Center’s synthesis of recommendations made by one or more stakeholders during the meeting. Improving Biosurveillance Capabilities and Laboratory Networks Strong biosurveillance capabilities and effective early warning systems should be a cornerstone of preparedness efforts. -
Environmental Biodetection and Human Biosurveillance Research
Environmental Biodetection and Human Biosurveillance Research and Development for National Security Priorities for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate MELINDA MOORE, ERIC LANDREE, ALISON K. HOTTES, SHOSHANA R. SHELTON HS AC HOMELAND SECURITY OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS CENTER An FFRDC operated by the RAND Corporation under contract with DHS Published in 2018 Preface Biological threats are among the priorities addressed by the biodefense community and, more broadly, the U.S. homeland security enterprise. Early detection of such threats is a foundation for preparedness and timely, effective response to a biological attack. As potential adversar- ies become more decentralized and capable in the development and deployment of biological weapons, U.S. research and development (R&D) must strive to stay ahead to effectively detect biological threats and minimize their effects. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) asked the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) to assess priori- ties for its investments in R&D, specifically addressing biological threats. The project entailed three tasks: (1) assess the relevant policy and practice landscape for national biosurveillance and biodetection efforts; (2) conceptualize how R&D can be brought to bear to improve bio- surveillance and biodetection; and (3) review and assess DHS S&T R&D in support of bio- surveillance and biodetection programs. This report aims to describe the results of analyses addressing these tasks. HSOAC exam- ined in detail the current and projected S&T R&D portfolio related to biological threats and also sought to understand relevant R&D supported by non-DHS sponsors.