Transcript Laboratory Response Network - Spokane Regional Health District

Laboratory Response Network
Spokane Regional Health District
What Is the LRN?
A Diverse Laboratory Network
National network of local, state and federal public health,
hospital-based, food testing, veterinary and environmental
testing laboratories that provide laboratory diagnostics
and the capacity to respond to biological and chemical
terrorism and other public health emergencies.
Multi-agency collaboration
LRN Structure for Bioterrorism
The LRN is a partnership involving key stakeholders in the preparation and
response to biological and chemical threats. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) in conjunction with, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), and the Association of Public Health Laboratories
(APHL) are its founding partners.
National Laboratories
National laboratories, including those operated by CDC, are responsible for
specialized strain characterizations, bioforensics, select agent activity, and handling
highly infectious biological agents and toxic chemicals.
Reference Labs
Reference laboratories - responsible for investigation and/or
referral of specimens --are made up of more than 140 state and
local public health, military, federal, and international
laboratories. Lab types include veterinary, agriculture, food and
water testing laboratories. In addition to laboratories located in
the U.S., facilities located in Australia, Canada, and the United
Kingdom serve as reference laboratories abroad
Sentinel Laboratories
Sentinel laboratories provide routine diagnostic
services, rule-out and referral steps in the
identification process.
Although these laboratories may not be equipped
to perform the same tests as LRN reference
laboratories, they can test samples to determine
whether those samples should be shipped to
reference or national laboratories for further
testing.
Only LRN labs can test for
biological substances
• Identify, preserve evidence
• Packaging and shipping of
biological substances to CDC
• Local SME on bioterrorism
• First responder training on
WMD
• Sentinel lab workshop
• Forensic epidemiology
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Anthrax
Plague
Tularemia
Brucellosis
Glanders
Meliodosis
Ricin toxin
Orthopox virus
(smallpox family)
Emergency Preparedness
Washington State Public Health Laboratories
conducted a study of public health needs across the
state and concluded a regional lab site was needed
in Eastern Washington they designated Spokane
Regional Health District to do laboratory testing for
the state of Washington.
The State Lab designated us to be part of the
emergency preparedness team with funding from
the PHEPR consolidated contract. We have trained
to be prepared for emergencies in our communities.
of Coverage of the Laboratory Response Network in the United States
300 miles
Page last modified March 11, 2005
Historically
SRHD was certified in 2004 and since have tested
over 75 samples for select agents of bioterrorism.
We have identified tularemia, brucella, and plague
from patient samples sent from our sentinel
laboratories.
Our Partners
SRHD is the anthrax testing laboratory for the
postal distribution centers in Spokane and
Pasco.
SRHD received grant money from the
Metropolitan Medical Response System
(MMRS) to purchase equipment to be able to
increase our testing capabilities.
Work with FBI and epidemiology to identify
bioterrorism attack versus naturally occurring
outbreaks.
Why Regional?
The most important reason is rapid response.
By testing locally, we can increase the turn around
time sometimes by days. With many of these
agents, that may be the difference between life
and death.
• Most bang for your buck with highest amount of causalities
with minimal costs
• Self replicating injury
• Minimal education needed- u tube and terrorist book
instructions
• Affects first responders and health care professionals first
• Modern transportation causes spread immediately
• Threat countries have naturally occurring sources of biological
agents
• Local cases
Convicted of possession of biological toxin with
intent to use.
Ricin toxin and sprayers, Spokane Valley, WA
Convicted of possession of WMD with intent to
use.
Poison and biological substances spiked
shrapnel , downtown Spokane, WA.
Recovered instructions on how to make ricin.
Biological growth media and petri dishes, Coeur
D’ Alene, ID
White Powder Letters
Various locations
include:
Spokane
Coeur D’ Alene
Walla Walla
Clarkston
Indian
Reservation, etc
Targets responded to
include:
Courthouse
Mayor’s office
Spokane airport
Spokane Regional Health District
Our Mission is to serve as the region’s public
health leader and partner to promote and
protect the communities health.