Homeland Security - Bio watchdog

Effects of a biological attack could be minimized through a new system that focuses on early identification and rapid response. The system, developed and operated by a team that includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory, integrates information obtained from diverse sources and automatically initiates an appropriate response. One facet that sets BWIC (biological warning and incident characterization) apart from other schemes is that it is tailored to the individual city and uses existing infrastructure, said Jim Kulesz of ORNL's Computational Sciences and Engineering Division. The system, funded by the Department of Homeland Security, is already piloted in several cities around the nation. The goal is to have BWIC in place at all major cities.