BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance Evaluating Systems for the Early Detection of Biological Threats: Abbreviated Version (2011) / Chapter Skim
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2 The BioWatch System
2 The BioWatch System
Pages 47-60
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From page 47... ...
The program is working toward a transition in technology to reduce the interval from sample collection to completion of initial analysis to 4 to 6 hours. This chapter describes the current features of the BioWatch system, including the technology and deployment of the air samplers, the laboratory analysis, the interpretation of data from BioWatch as a basis for public health action, and the plans for new technology for air sampling and analysis, organized in terms of planning and management, operations, and response.
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From page 48... ...
BIOWATCH PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT DHS states that the goal of the BioWatch program "is to establish and operate a bio-aerosol monitoring capability to accurately detect the release of biological threat agents of greatest concern to the [n] ation in locations that are at greatest risk of catastrophic consequences and to enable timely response and mitigation" (DHS, 2008c)
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From page 49... ...
State and local public health laboratories typically provide the facilities to house BioWatch laboratory operations for analysis of the filters, but the BioWatch program currently provides contract personnel to perform the analyses within these laboratories. Each jurisdiction is expected to have a BioWatch Advisory Committee (BAC)
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From page 50... ...
. A BAR occurs when analysis of a filter from a BioWatch air sampler confirms the presence of targeted signature nucleic acid sequences associated with a pathogenic organism.
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From page 51... ...
. BioWatch Air Samplers and Their Deployment DHS is responsible for selecting the devices that are used for air sampling, and it funds their purchase and deployment.
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From page 52... ...
deployment of a Generation 2.5 to provide an interim automated indoor detection capability before the deployment of Generation 3. BioWatch Air Samplers The BioWatch air samplers are designed for continuous routine air monitoring in urban environments.
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From page 53... ...
from BASIS Sample collection: Manual sample collection typically technology by every 24 hours, followed by manual laboratory analysis DHS S&T Analytic Methods: Manual sample analysis using real time PCR Air sampler: Same as Generation 1 Same as 2005–2007: Sample collection: Same as Generation 1 Generation 1 DHS S&T Analytic methods: Similar to Generation 1 2007–present: DHS OHA Detector: Unknown Not determined DHS OHA Sample collection: Automated sample collection and as of this preparation writing Analytic methods: Automated systems a filter unit is collected until the results of the initial testing of the sample are available (see Figure 2-1)
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From page 54... ...
BioWatch Laboratories With the current Generation 2 BioWatch system, filters from the air samplers are collected daily for analysis in designated laboratories. In most BioWatch jurisdictions, the laboratory facilities are housed in state public health laboratories that are reference facilities in the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN)
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From page 55... ...
There is no simple algorithm to guide decision makers on the public health response to a major biological threat from the release of a bioterror agent. The decisions made will hinge on a variety of inputs and depend heavily on whether the information is sufficient to determine that an effective release of a bioterrorism agent is likely to have occurred.
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From page 56... ...
The number of filters testing positive, their collection times, the duration of the collection process, and the locations of the air samplers that the filters came from may provide important information regarding the potential scale of population exposure and environmental contamination. Determining whether any other BioWatch jurisdictions have reported BARs or whether there are any suspected bioterrorist attacks reported elsewhere will contribute to situational awareness.
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From page 57... ...
In addition, laboratory capacity is a critical consideration following a BAR because of the needs for more frequent testing of BioWatch filters and post-BAR environmental sampling analyses. Event Reconstruction models Event reconstruction models can be used to estimate the location of an aerosol release, bounds on the size of the release, and the time of release.
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From page 58... ...
The specific funding requirements for the program will vary significantly from year to year, depending on when the existing instruments are replaced. Upgrading the BioWatch system to Generation 3 involves improvements that include replacing the existing air samplers, which require manual retrieval and laboratory analysis of filters, with automated detectors capable of onsite sample analysis and an anticipated expansion of the BioWatch system's coverage.
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From page 59... ...
aTotal present value cost is the total anticipated cost of the program over a 10-year period, after applying a discount rate. b"Generation 3 without expansion" refers to only direct replacement of current Genera tion 2 air samplers with the automated detectors to be used in the Generation 3 deployment, without other changes proposed for Generation 3.
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From page 60... ...
2008c. NAS information request #, dHS OHA written responses.
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