AOAC SPADA February 2015 Meeting Book

Challenges: Ordinary event or act of  bioterrorism? • Accidental food poisoning cases common – 241,148 illnesses; 1064 hospitalizations • Occasional TSS cases reported • Challenges will be: – Monitoring for a common environmental agent – Establishing baseline levels 

General analytical needs • Detection of low levels SEA, SEB, & SEC • Testing field labs and medical labs • Variety matrices – Food  – Air filters, water, environmental surfaces – Human samples including nasal swabs, sterile body  fluids