Biological Threat Detection and Response Challenges Remain for BioWatch (REDACTED)

DHS’ Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction’s (CWMD) BioWatch has information sharing challenges that reduce nationwide readiness to respond to biological terrorism threats. According to its mission statement, BioWatch is designed to operate a nationwide aerosol detection system. The system is intended to detect potential biological threat agents, identify the agent used, and share information with stakeholders, serving as an early warning system. However, BioWatch does not operate a nationwide early warning system. Its biological detection equipment is located in just 22 of 50 states (44 percent), which leaves 28 states without coverage. This occurred because BioWatch has not reassessed its strategic posture and designated locations needing coverage since 2003. Moreover, BioWatch equipment in 34 of 35 jurisdictions could not always collect air samples to test for biological threats because the equipment was not secured to prevent unplugging or security breaches. Further, BioWatch monitors and detects just 6 of 14 (approximately 43 percent) biological agents known to be threats because it has not updated its biological agent detection capabilities with the 2017 threat assessment results. Also, as of 2018, BioWatch stopped conducting routine full-scale exercises with its jurisdictions in preparation for a potential bioterrorism attack. According to BioWatch officials, this occurred because CWMD leadership directed BioWatch to no longer conduct these exercises, leaving each jurisdiction discretion to perform its own exercises. Without implementing changes to address BioWatch’s challenges, the United States’ ability to prepare for, detect, and respond to a potential bioterrorism attack is impeded, which could result in significant loss of human life.