Anthrax Detection: DHS Cannot Ensure That Sampling Activities Will Be Validated
GAO-07-687T
Published: Mar 29, 2007. Publicly Released: Mar 29, 2007.
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Highlights
In September and October 2001, contaminated letters laced with Bacillus anthracis were sent through the mail to two U.S. senators and members of the media. Postal facilities in New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere became heavily contaminated. The anthrax incidents highlighted major gaps in civilian preparedness to detect anthrax contamination in buildings. GAO was asked to describe and assess federal agencies' activities to detect anthrax in postal facilities, assess the results of agencies' testing, and assess whether agencies' detection activities were validated.
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AccountabilityAnthraxBiological warfareCollection proceduresContaminationDisease detection or diagnosisEvaluation methodsFederal facilitiesHomeland securityInternal controlsInvestigations by federal agenciesPostal facilitiesStrategic planningTestingPolicies and procedures