Index to Reconn/Decon Webpages

Role of the CST

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Tracking an Aerosol Release

Reconn/Decon Module

Module Specs

Chemical Warfare

Chemical Terrorism

Chemical Response Kit

Biological Warfare

Biological Terrorism

Bio-Sampling Kit

Anthrax

Plague

Tularemia

DNA Studies

Decon Shower

Decon Solution & Foam

Biological Sampling Kit

Introduction

A week after the event how can one trace the path of an aerosol containing a deadly biological warfare agent, such as anthrax, plague, or tularemia, when it was released outdoors and dispersed by the wind over a large area?  Sunlight and weather quickly inactivate the biological agents in the aerosol particles.  The premise for the Biological Sampling Kit is that diseases that are deadly for humans can also be carried by other animals--livestock and wildlife--even though the animals themselves are not necessarily affected adversely.  Small rodents are widely distributed and found in nearly every environment.  Long after other techniques yield only negative results because the disease-bearing particulates have decomposed, blood samples from live animals permit the dispersal of an airborne release to be tracked and analyzed.

Determining the extent and defining the perimeter of the aerosol release is done by collecting samples of the rodent population at locations over a larger area. The task of the reconnaissance team is to collect, not analyze samples. Sample collection equipment includes traps and cold boxes for small rodents, traps for larger animals, site markers, bags and sample boxes for soil samples, bottles for water samples, and an air sampler.

Collecting Samples of the Small Rodent Population

The Biological Sampling Kit has a supply of live traps; in particular, the folding Sherman trap, widely used for wildlife studies.  Folding traps are convenient for carrying in a vehicle with limited space, such as a small utility vehicle.  Blood samples from live animals are a primary means of tracking disease and the most important activity in the sampling operation.

The traditional mouse trap or snap trap is effective in trapping small rodents and an ample supply of these traps is included in the kit. Tissue samples may provide some information, but are not as useful as blood samples from live animals.

Trapping is at least a two-day operation with the first day devoted to setting out as many traps as possible over the area to be sampled and the second and subsequent days devoted to checking traps, adjusting their locations, and delivering specimens for analysis.

Other Populations

Carnivores are more difficult to trap than mice, but are important because they sample a large number of small mammals. Omnivores, such as skunks, also feed on small rodents and can be useful sampling targets.

Helicopter surveillance overhead may be able to locate carcases of livestock and large game animals and thus give directions to the reconnaissance team on the ground. Infrared sensors proved useful in locating bison carcases during an outbreak of anthrax in Canada and may be useful in tracking the effects of a bio-terrorist aerosol.

Cold Boxes

Specimens from which living bacteria are to be extracted and cultivated in the laboratory need to be kept at temperatures just above freezing. Electric cold chests for speciments are powered from the 12 volt system on the utility vehicle. Specimens collected for virus samples are kept in cold boxes with dry ice.

Site Location and Data Analysis

With a large number of sites to be visited in a short period of time, it is necessary to have data logging, data tracking, and data analysis capabilities. Thus, barcode labeled traps, barcode readers, GPS, GIS, and associated field computers and software are components in the sampling kit. Each kit is assembled for the needs of a particular client and is customized for factors such as the type of transportation to be used (i.e. only land-based vehicles or using some helicopter transport), the local native and domestic animal population and the most suitable sampling methods for this population, and the format and other requirements for generated data.

Analysis of Specimens

Although the speed with which biological specimens can be analyzed for biological warfare agents has greatly increased, it is anticipated that the reconnaissance team can collect enough specimens to overwhelm analytical capability. The Mobil Analytical Laboratory System of the Civil Support Team may be able to analyze critical specimens. Other specimens may analyzed by State and National laboratories with helicopter support providing rapid transport as required.

Fluorescence microscopy to detect indirect fluorescent antibodies, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology (DNA fingerprinting), and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are powerful tools in the identification of unknowns.

Soil, Water, and Air Samples

Sample bags and a shovel are provided for soil samples, useful for collecting anthrax spores. Water sample bottles are for samples of stream, pond, and other waters. One low-volume, battery-operated air sampler is included which can be attached to a convenient tree or telephone pole.

Useful Links to Other Sites

Sherman Live Traps

The H.B. Sherman Company has a large folding aluminum live trap (3" x 3" x 9"). This trap has been extensively used in trapping mice for hantavirus studies in Montana and elsewhere and is part of the Biological Sampling Kit.

Methods for Trapping and Small Mammals and Collecting Blood Samples

The Center for Disease Control has a manual giving step-by-step procedures for trapping small mammals and collecting samples of blood and various organs. The manual can be downloaded in .pdf format for viewing with the Acrobat Reader.