Upton leads oversight efforts of CDC bioterrorism response capabilities

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) led a legislative call on Thursday for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide information pertaining to the capabilities of its Laboratory Response Network (LRN).

Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led a call from committee leaders for additional information about the number of LRN labs in the country and their capability and readiness to address specific agents and toxins.

“The goal of the CDC Laboratory Response Network was to ensure that the nation has appropriate coverage and rapid detection technology and assays to quickly test suspicious materials and detect potential events suspected to be a result of bioterrorism in a timely manner to initiate immediate clinical intervention, surveillance, initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis, and other public health measures such as quarantine to save lives,” Upton wrote in a letter to CDC Director Thomas Frieden.

The key to a successful response to a bioterrorism event, the letter continues, is the nation’s capability to rapidly detect and diagnose suspected clinical cases.

“This task was clearly assigned to the CDC LRN for implementation and preparation of this aspect of the nation’s biodefense,” the letter states. “As part of the committee’s overall oversight of biodefense preparedness, the Committee seeks information about the current capabilities of the CDC LRN.”

The letter was signed by Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO).