Tests and Services Manual: Biothreat Response - NYC Health

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NYCMED

Reporting Diseases and Conditions

Reporting Central

Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR)

eVital

Public Health Lab

Reporting Animal Diseases

Electronic Case Reporting Web Service

Other Reporting Systems


Tests and Services Manual: Biothreat Response

The division of Bio-Threat Response is a new workforce within the NYC DOHMH Public Health Laboratory.

The laboratory's routine hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., however, the laboratory is available for processing high priority specimens 24 hours a day- 7 days a week. (Refer to Emergency Laboratory Tests). For information about Biothreat Response training, or if you have questions about proper Rule-out protocols, please contact the PHL Outreach Program at Lbtrng@health.nyc.gov.

The division has a dual focus:

Accurate and rapid identification of agents from environmental and clinical sources that can be used as weapons of mass destruction utilizing the following technologies:

Nucleic acid amplification and detection

Direct fluorescent antibody detection (DFA)

Culture (bacterial)

Time Resolved Fluorescence (TRF)

Enzyme Immunoassays (EIA)

Training via workshops, seminars, and in-services provided to:

NYC LRN Sentinel Laboratories on recognition and awareness of select agents, referral of suspicious isolates to PHL and proper packaging and shipping of biological agents

NYC First Responders on safe and appropriate specimen collection and transport from the event site to the NYC DOHMH PHL.

Resources:

ASM Laboratory Response
Network (LRN) Sentinel Level Clinical Laboratory Protocols

APHL Public Health Preparedness & Response

APHL Biothreat Agent Bench Cards for the Sentinel Clinical Laboratory (PDF)

APHL Clinical Laboratory Preparedness and Response Guide “Blue Book (PDF)

CDC Biothreat Preparedness Training for Sentinel Laboratories

CDC Biothreat Rule Out or Refer: Virtual Knowledge Exercise