Comparative Analysis of Biosurveillance Methodologies

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Threats of Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiological, or High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) events in the United States have caused the implementation of improved preparedness initiatives. This paper focuses on biological readiness initiatives, and compares two methodologies, one already fielded called BioWatch and another developing project, called "A Hot Idea." BioWatch, a biosurveillance methodology operating since June 2003, collects air samples in 31 cities across the United States on filter paper that is analyzed for the presence of harmful biological agents. The time from biological release until emergency response actions are initiated is expected to be 27-36 hours. "A Hot Idea" uses the body's immune response to identify the presence of harmful biological agents. An increase in temperature is the body's response to inoculation with a foreign agent. Detecting a temperature increase, using infrared thermographers, in a statistically significant portion of population would allow earlier identification of a biological release and thereby accelerate initiation of response actions.