Enhancing BioWatch Capabilities Through Technology and Collaboration

Enhancing BioWatch Capabilities Through Technology and Collaboration PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030945168X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 111

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Book Description
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) BioWatch program aims to provide an early indication of an aerosolized biological weapon attack. The first generation of BioWatch air samplers were deployed in 2003. The current version of this technology, referred to as Generation 2 (Gen-2), uses daily manual collection and testing of air filters from each monitor, a process that can take 12 to 36 hours to detect the presence of biological pathogens. Until April 2014, DHS pursued a next-generation autonomous detection technology that aimed to shorten the time from sample collection to detection to less than 6 hours, reduce the cost of analysis, and increase the number of detectable biological pathogens. Because of concerns about the cost and effectiveness of the proposed Generation 3 system (Gen-3), DHS cancelled its acquisition plans for the next-generation surveillance system. In response to the cancellation announcement, Congress asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the program and the proposed system enhancements that would have been incorporated in BioWatch Gen-3. However, Mike Walter, BioWatch Program manager, Office of Health Affairs, DHS, said that DHS did not agree with all of GAO's characterizations of the BioWatch program efforts described in this review. In response to this, DHS requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conduct a workshop to further explore the findings of the 2015 GAO report and discuss the impact these findings may have with regard to the future development of the technical capabilities of the BioWatch program. Workshop participants also discussed existing and possible collaborations between BioWatch, public health laboratories, and other stakeholders that could contribute to the enhancement of biosurveillance capabilities at the federal, state, and local levels. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Enhancing BioWatch Capabilities Through Technology and Collaboration

Enhancing BioWatch Capabilities Through Technology and Collaboration PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030945168X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 111

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Book Description
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) BioWatch program aims to provide an early indication of an aerosolized biological weapon attack. The first generation of BioWatch air samplers were deployed in 2003. The current version of this technology, referred to as Generation 2 (Gen-2), uses daily manual collection and testing of air filters from each monitor, a process that can take 12 to 36 hours to detect the presence of biological pathogens. Until April 2014, DHS pursued a next-generation autonomous detection technology that aimed to shorten the time from sample collection to detection to less than 6 hours, reduce the cost of analysis, and increase the number of detectable biological pathogens. Because of concerns about the cost and effectiveness of the proposed Generation 3 system (Gen-3), DHS cancelled its acquisition plans for the next-generation surveillance system. In response to the cancellation announcement, Congress asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the program and the proposed system enhancements that would have been incorporated in BioWatch Gen-3. However, Mike Walter, BioWatch Program manager, Office of Health Affairs, DHS, said that DHS did not agree with all of GAO's characterizations of the BioWatch program efforts described in this review. In response to this, DHS requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conduct a workshop to further explore the findings of the 2015 GAO report and discuss the impact these findings may have with regard to the future development of the technical capabilities of the BioWatch program. Workshop participants also discussed existing and possible collaborations between BioWatch, public health laboratories, and other stakeholders that could contribute to the enhancement of biosurveillance capabilities at the federal, state, and local levels. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Strategies for Effective Improvements to the BioWatch System

Strategies for Effective Improvements to the BioWatch System PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309471745
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 223

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Book Description
BioWatch is the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) system for detecting an aerosolized biological attack using collectors that are positioned strategically across the country to continuously monitor the air for biological threats. As currently deployed, BioWatch collectors draw air through filters that field technicians collect daily and transport to laboratories, where professional technicians analyze the material collected on the filter for evidence of biological threats. As part of the BioWatch program's efforts to enhance its effectiveness and capabilities, particularly with regard to detecting biological threats in challenging indoor environments, DHS requested the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hold a workshop to explore alternative and effective biodetection systems for aerosolized biological agents that would meet BioWatch's technical and operational requirements, integrate into the existing system architecture and public health infrastructure, and be deployable by 2027. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2011, Part 4, March 4, 2010, 111-2 Hearings, *

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2011, Part 4, March 4, 2010, 111-2 Hearings, * PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 868

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Book Description


Fifteen Years After 9/11: Threats to the Homeland, S.HRG. 114-729, September 27, 2016, 114-2

Fifteen Years After 9/11: Threats to the Homeland, S.HRG. 114-729, September 27, 2016, 114-2 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description


BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance

BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030918763X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the anthrax letters, the ability to detect biological threats as quickly as possible became a top priority. In 2003 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced the BioWatch program-a federal monitoring system intended to speed detection of specific biological agents that could be released in aerosolized form during a biological attack. The present volume evaluates the costs and merits of both the current BioWatch program and the plans for a new generation of BioWatch devices. BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance also examines infectious disease surveillance through hospitals and public health agencies in the United States, and considers whether BioWatch and traditional infectious disease surveillance are redundant or complementary.

Agro-defense

Agro-defense PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description


Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2004

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2004 PDF Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : National security
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description


Information technology federal agencies face challenges in implementing initiatives to improve public health infrastructure : report to congressional requesters.

Information technology federal agencies face challenges in implementing initiatives to improve public health infrastructure : report to congressional requesters. PDF Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428931341
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description


Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2017

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2017 PDF Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : National security
Languages : en
Pages : 1540

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Book Description


One Year Later

One Year Later PDF Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security. Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description