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Considerations for Implementing
Sequencing for BioWatch
Laboratory Operations
Dr. Vikram V. Munikoti
LT, U.S. Public Health Service
Deputy Director of BioWatch Laboratory Operations
Office of Health Affairs
Department of Homeland Security
Vikram.Munikoti@hq.dhs.govMarch 15, 2017
BioWatch is a Critical Layer of Our Nation’s
BioDefense
The BioWatch Story
• The BioWatch Program’s critical
mission is to operate a nationwide,
aerosol detection system providing
early warning
across all levels of
government to support public health
and emergency management
communities
to prepare for and
respond to a biological incident
• The program was started in
2003
• The program’s success is due to an
extraordinary network
composed of
federal, state and local stakeholders
BioWatch Overview
• Operates a network of aerosol collectors at more than
600
sites
(including
50+
indoor sites) working 24x7x365
• Analyzes more than
230,000 samples
per year across more
than 30 major metropolitan areas that have deemed to be at
the greatest risk for a bioterrorism event
• Creates a forum for
local, state and federal
stakeholders to
share all types of relevant data
and information during
a biological event
• Provides a critical layer of biodefense to National Special
Security Events and Special Events (Supported
114
in 2015-
2016)
a critical la
• bio
• Conducts an extensive Quality Assurance Program,
enhancing defensibility and confidence in BioWatch results.
> 35,800 QA samples have been analyzed
since
2011
Provides early warning to the majority of the US
population in 30+ jurisdictions from a bioterrorism
attack
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