Letter Report on the Threat Agent Detection Response System Database (2006) / Chapter Skim
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Letter Report
Letter Report
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has described the objectives of this disease surveillance network, which is currently being implemented in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with potential for deployment in other countries as well, as follows: "Strengthen the capability of existing human and veterinary infectious disease surveillance networks by improving diagnostic laboratories; create republic-level central reference laboratories using state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, modern communications, and information technology backbones; deploy mobile response teams to permit rapid effective response to potential threat agent incidents; consolidate all especially dangerous pathogen collections and research at the central reference laboratories; and transfer new pathogen strains to U.S. government laboratories for prophylactic, protective, and other peaceful purposes, including cooperative research with host nation scientists." We have addressed the two specific issues that you have set forth for our consideration, namely: · Which U.S.
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; brucellosis (human and animal) ; plague; tularemia; smallpox virus; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; tick-borne encephalitis; fevers of unknown origin requiring hospitalization; flu-like symptoms requiring hospitalization; foot and mouth disease; rinderpest; sheep, goat, and camel pox; highly pathogenic Newcastle disease; highly pathogenic avian influenza; glanders; and classical swine fever.
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We consider this letter report an important interim step in our continuing efforts to assist in upgrading disease surveillance capabilities in countries of the former Soviet Union. We are prepared to provide additional views on the TADR network and on related research issues in response to future requests from DTRA.
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With regard to the host countries: · Broader, better, and more timely surveillance data regarding agents prevalent in the countries can provide early warning of emerging public health problems while helping to provide the regional context for addressing local outbreaks of diseases through cross-country sharing of data. · Improved technology capabilities for field investigations, including GIS systems, and laboratory resources will not only be welcomed by the scientific workforces but should also enable upgraded field and laboratory teams to be more competitive in their search for international funding to support related research and other activities.
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This technology will challenge many clinicians and other specialists in the host countries who have only a limited degree of computer literacy and a long history of relying on paper records. While DTRA claims considerable success in training local specialists to use the technology and plans to support Western specialists who will modify and improve the technology as required, upgrading the field and laboratory capabilities of local specialists who have limited familiarity with the types of technology being introduced will be a continuing challenge.
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These agreements require the host governments to share with DOD data gathered through the network, and DOD plans to designate a GDR or GDRs in the United States to receive the data. According to DTRA, one government ministry of a host country has raised concerns over the "security" implications of providing data directly to a repository in the United States selected by DOD.
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9) Effective integration of human and animal disease surveillance, reference diagnostics, and reporting activities will be difficult, both in the host countries and in the United States.
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commitment to long-term scientific partnerships in combating diseases of global significance while encouraging the host governments to continue to build their programs for the indefinite future on the foundation established through DTRA investments.
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Current DTRA policy should be modified in consultation with host countries to permit data that are received at CDC to become available to credible research organizations and researchers in the United States and abroad, assuming that the issues of privacy and security-sensitivity have been resolved. Also, the issue of false alarms should be resolved jointly by host countries and CDC before releasing information that raises unwarranted concerns.
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The need for host countries to send data to two locations in the United States might raise unnecessary concerns within these countries as their specialists are subjected to two sets of instructions and inquiries concerning their activities on a continuing basis. Also, two parallel reporting channels would perpetuate rather than reduce the separation of veterinary and human health cultures.
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Also, DTRA should encourage the governments to authorize CDC to release any data that may be of interest to international organizations, and CDC should take the initiative to ensure that international organizations are receiving data that should be of interest to them. In the distant future, building on the TADR experience, it might be advisable for the host countries to have WHO-designated collaborating centers for infectious diseases.
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Will data generated by the system be integrated with other relevant data available to the GDR and the entire data sets be made available to host countries? Will there be plans to carry out studies of local epidemics and interventions that demonstrate the value of the systems?
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Declaration of Technical Data Conformity The Contractor, the National Academies, hereby declares that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the technical data delivered herewith under Contract No. DTRA01-02-D-003 are complete, accurate, and comply with all requirements of the contract.
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