NCJ Number
192337
Date Published
1999
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This executive summary recapped the highlights of a 1999 U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense Workshop that discussed the effectiveness of the Biological Warfare Improved Response Program mandated by Congress in 1997.
Abstract
The objectives of the workshop were to evaluate the effectiveness and suggest improvements for strategies, tools, identification, and responses to food-borne biological incidents. To accomplish these goals, participants examined medical surveillance as well as other investigative strategies and methods used. The workshops also focused on the thought processes of those in charge if a biological crisis occurred. According to this summary this workshop provided an opportunity to review Federal, State, and local agency’s responses and provided input to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve the Federal response. It also presented participants with a chance to identify both their strengths and weaknesses, and helped create communication links between various agencies. Lastly, participants received insight into the roles and responsibilities of all agencies ranging from the Government to the private sector. Overall, according to the summary, this knowledge would enhance national capability of responding to biological incidents.