For many years, concerns about bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases have drawn attention to the need for strong surveillance systems. Experts are working to develop new and better ways to detect these biological threats as quickly as possible so that appropriate action can minimize illnesses and deaths. One effort in this area is the Department of Homeland Security’s BioWatch program, through which air samples collected in more than 30 major localities are tested for the presence of certain pathogens.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the BioWatch program, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) convened the Committee on Effectiveness of National Biosurveillance Systems: BioWatch and the Public Health System. The evaluation includes a comparison of costs and benefits for the current generation and planned next generation of BioWatch technology; the costs and benefits of an enhanced national surveillance system that relies on U.S. hospitals and the U.S. public health system; and the effectiveness of this approach compared to that of the current BioWatch program.

This interim report contains no findings and recommendations, but outlines the committee’s initial progress in addressing the major issues under consideration. A final report, expected in June 2009, will present the committee’s findings and recommendations.