The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is supporting an effort for the continuation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) diagnostics in Guinea and Sierra Leone, as part of the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP) in Africa.
To achieve its mission, CBEP works collaboratively to secure and consolidate Select Agents and Toxins and enhance Biosafety and Biosecurity (BS&S) standards; and strengthen Africa’s ability to detect, diagnose, survey, and report emerging and re-emerging diseases of international security concern.
See also: CBEP One Health E-Surveillance Initiative in Middle East/North Africa
The current effort is focused on the acquisition and deployment of two mobile diagnostic laboratory systems capable of performing molecular diagnostics on suspect and probable Ebola Virus Disease samples.
The units will be deployed to areas such as Sierra Leone, Guinea, or any other affected country, as directed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The mobile labs will be collocated with treatment centers, but lab personnel will have no interaction with patients. A third party, yet to be determined, will provide Site Security for the lab deployment package.
See also: Biosecurity, Biosurveillance Assessments in Africa
DTRA will be responsible for providing airlift into Sierra Leone, Guinea, or any other affected country, as well as transportation of personnel and equipment to the lab site. The DoD will also supply assays and reagents; as well as coordinate the procurement and delivery of reagents to the laboratory systems.
