Global Biodefense August 13, 2019
The U.S. Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) Special Pathogens Laboratory at Fort Detrick is one of only three National Laboratories at the top of the protective umbrella of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) structure, along with those operated by the CDC and the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), responsible for specialized characterization of organisms, bioforensics, select agent activity, and handling highly infectious biological agents. What happens when an important component of the nation’s biopreparedness infrastructure fails to meet CDC biosafety requirements and has its Federal Select Agent certification pulled? Global Biodefense submitted requests to USAMRIID and the CDC on Aug. 6 for information on the status of the Institute in the LRN structure and whether another Biosafety Level-4 laboratory will be designated as an interim substitute National Laboratory. According to USAMRIID the impact to LRN is minimal with regard to diagnostic samples. They are able to continue to receive and test unknown samples through our LRN lab. In addition to the LRN, USAMRIID is also a member the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), a system of more than 170 member food-testing laboratories at the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels comprising a network that is able to respond to emergencies involving biological, chemical, or radiological contamination of food. USAMRIID works to correct biosafety issues, regain Federal Select Agent Program certification, and answer accountability questions…read more. REFERENCES: Research Halted at USAMRIID Over Biosafety Issues Global Biodefense; Effect of USAMRIID Shutdown on Research At Fort Detrick Unclear Frederick News-Post
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