Biowatch

BioWatch and Public Health Surveillance

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.

Continuing Concerns Over BioWatch and the Surveillance of Bioterrorism

Ready Or Not?

The severe budget cuts by fed., state, and local governments are leaving public health (PH) departments understaffed and without the basic capabilities required to respond to crises. Nearly 10 years ago during the 9/11 and anthrax tragedies, it became clear the PH system was out-of-date to face modern health threats -- and an historic investment was made to help upgrade the system. Significant progress was made to improve how we prevent, identify, and contain new disease outbreaks and bioterrorism threats and respond to the aftermath of natural disasters. Now, the economic situation is putting almost a decade of gains at risk. The latest budget cuts will exacerbate the vulnerable areas in U.S. emergency health preparedness. A print on demand report.