What is the authority for BioSense?
CDC is generally authorized by the Public Health Service Act, Sections 301, 317 and 319D (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b and 247d-4) to maintain active surveillance of diseases through epidemiologic and laboratory investigations and data collection, analysis, and distribution. Specifically, section 319D directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment of integrated public health surveillance between and among Federal, State, and local public health officials; public and private health-related laboratories, hospitals, other health care facilities; and others. The purpose of these networks is for the timely sharing and discussion, in a secure manner, of essential information concerning bioterrorism or another public health emergencies, or recommended methods for responding to such an attack or emergency. CDC has designed BioSense to establish these networks and mechanisms to ensure early event detection, situational awareness, investigation and management of outbr
