United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious DiseasesKYLE MELLING

— Mission —

To provide leading edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents

— Vision —

To be the leader in the advancement of medical biological defense with world renowned experts dedicated to protecting our military forces and the nation

— Core Competencies —

Development, testing and evaluation of medical countermeasures

Providing world-class expertise in medical biological defense

Rapid identification of biological agents

Training and educating the force

Maintaining biosafety, biosurety and biosecurity standards

Preparing for technological uncertainty

Background

Located in Fort Detrick, MD

Established Jan 27, 1969

Core mission is to protect the warfighter from biological threats, but also investigate disease outbreaks and threats to public health. 

Most research is done in BSL-3 settings, but one of only 3 labs with BSL-4 clearance in US (fourth is planned)

Biological warfare development banned by Nixon 1969/1970

BSL - 4

Only four BioSafety Levels (1 – 4, with 4 being highest)

Positive-pressurize suits that need routine checks for leaks

Stringent entry and exit procedures such as numerous showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, etc.

Used for highly infectious diseases as well as other dangerous and exotic hazards

Operation Whitecoat

A biodefense medical research program carried out by the United States Army between 1954 and 1973

More than 2,300 U.S. Army soldiers volunteered

Exposed to dangerous bacteria that were considered likely choices for a biological attack, or other harmful diseases (encephalitis, hep A, plague, etc)

Vaccines for bioweapons tested, along with other treatment drugs

Treated with antibiotics afterwards to cure infections

More Recently

Over 260,000 tests over next 8 months after 9/11 for “Amerithrax”

Few safety incidences caused heightened measures

Heavily involved in the training of first responders across the world

Offer unique courses ranging from 2 hrs to a week for different biological terror conditions

Construction of adjacent building to USAMRIID to expand

Resources

http://www.aphlblog.org/2014/01/usamriid-biodefense-from-the-cold-war-to-present-day/

http://www.usamriid.army.mil/index.htm

http://www.faqs.org/espionage/Ul-Vo/USAMRIID-United-States-Army-Medical-Research-Institute-of-Infectious-Diseases.html