A national laboratory network for bioterrorism: Evolution from a prototypenetwork of laboratories performing routine surveillance

The need for an enhanced network of laboratories to respond to a bioterrori sm attack has been realized, Therefore, the Association of Public Health La boratories and the Centers for Disease Control are developing a system invo lving civilian public health and private laboratories that builds on the ex isting network for routine disease surveillance. It is anticipated that mos t bioterrorist attacks will not be immediately recognized, so increased lab oratory capabilities and communications are necessary, The laboratory netwo rk has four categories with different biosafety levels assigned to clearly delineate the correct referral route. Improving communications through Worl d Wide Web-based systems will allow test results, surge capacity, and train ing and identification algorithms to be shared instantly. There are plans t o expand the network to include standard public health sunveillance and eme rging infectious diseases.