Interim Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on SARS Quarantine
Abstract
The Task Force established by the Defense Science Board (DSB) to assess Department of Defense (DoD) quarantining guidance for dealing with a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic met on three occasions during 2003-2004 to review the status of current and planned DoD policies and procedures related to SARS outbreak response. The Task Force received a number of briefings describing SARS and other disease outbreak response and quarantine operations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SARS guidelines, lessons learned, DoD global surveillance systems, and military/civilian public health interfaces. The Task Force's initial findings and recommendations in six areas are included. Appendix A of this report contains the Terms of Reference given to the Task Force by the Under Secretary of Defense. To integrate public health needs, on behalf of national security, the Task Force was asked to review and assess the following: (a) Existing doctrine and process by which quarantine policy is generated as applied to all personnel in OCONUS as well as CONUS theaters, (b) Required cooperation with non-DoD agencies and non-U.S. government entities including other countries; (c) Capacity of local commanders to rapidly surveil disease status and establish need, ways, and means for quarantine in relation to their assigned missions; (d) Methods, technologies, and legal doctrine to allow safe transport of personnel through quarantined areas, and restriction of movement where needed; (e) Sample scenarios; (f) Coordination and allocation of DoD and non-DoD resources to combat SARS; and (g) identification and tracing of individuals potentially exposed to SARS. Appendix B contains references to documents reviewed by the Task Force. Appendix C contains recommendations to enhance two documents: DoD Directive "Emergency Health Powers on Military Installations," May 12, 2003; and "US Government Interagency SARS Concept of Operations Plan."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430115
Entities
People
- Joshua Lederberg
- Roger L. Gibson
Organizations
- Defense Science Board