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Vol. 32, No. 12

June 12, 2015

Fort Detrick Garrison Changes Command NICK MINECCI

USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Col. Steven P. Middlecamp relinquished command of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick to Col. Robert A. O’Brien IV May 29 during a Change of Command ceremony in the new Fort Detrick auditorium. The ceremony was presided over by Davis D. Tindoll, Jr., director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s Atlantic Region.

O’Brien graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned in the infantry in 1992. His first assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

Following a series of assignments and graduation from the Command and General Staff College, O’Brien served as the logistics officer for the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, where he oversaw the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team’s deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom VI. He then served as executive officer for the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Khowst, Afghanistan. Following this deployment, he became the battalion operations officer.

After serving as the Light/Airborne S3 trainer and then the Brigade Combat Team S3 trainer at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, O’Brien was command-selected in 2009 to serve with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division as an advisor battalion commander.

After a short time advising the 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps Afghan National Army commander, he deployed with the 2nd Brigade Afghan National Civil Order Police in January 2010 for Operation Mostarak in and around Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

O’Brien’s next assignment was as the commander, Combined Team Kandahar City, commanding two battalions of 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, during Operation Hamkari and transitioned command of Kandahar City from Canadian to U.S. forces.

Upon redeployment from Afghanistan, he served as the deputy commander, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Division.

Selected for a second battalion command, O’Brien commanded the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, then attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks where he earned a Master of Mili-

tary Arts degree. He then served at the I Corps Headquarters at Joint Base LewisMcChord, Washington, as the I corps chief of operations.

“I am confident you will bring the ‘Rangers Lead the Way’ attitude,” said Tindoll to O’Brien during the ceremony, invoking the Ranger motto.

During his remarks after assuming command, O’Brien said part of his job will be continuing building relationships with the community, ensuring the U.S. Army Garrison’s missions continue to progress.

“Col. Middlecamp did an amazing job working with the community, and I look forward to getting out and continuing what he has built,” said O’Brien.

Moving from tactical units to a U.S. Army Garrison command is a new experience for O’Brien, and he said he is excited about the challenge.

“The Installation Management Command is a new world for me, and I have already learned that there are a ton of new acronyms I have to learn,” O’Brien joked during his comments. “I am very happy to be here and part of the Fort Detrick team, and look forward to leading the Garrison.”

The U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick held a Change of Command ceremony May 29 at the Fort Detrick auditorium.

Here, the U.S. Army Garrison flag is being passed from Davis D. Tindoll, Jr., director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command Atlantic Region, to incoming Commander Col. Robert A. O’Brien IV.

Photo by Nick Minecci, USAG Public Affairs

OPM PII Breach – How to Protect Yourself

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management recently became aware of a cybersecurity incident affecting its systems and data that may have compromised the personal information of current and former federal employees.

Within the last year, the OPM has undertaken an aggressive effort to update its cybersecurity posture, adding numerous tools and capabilities to its networks. As a result, in April 2015, the OPM became aware of the incident affecting its information technology systems and data that predated the adoption of these security controls.

Since the incident was identified, the OPM has partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Teams and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine the impact to federal personnel.

Beginning June 8 and continuing through June 19, the OPM will be sending notifications to approximately 4 million individuals whose Personally Identifiable Information was potentially compromised in this incident. The email will come from opmcio@csid.com and it will contain information regarding credit monitoring and identity theft protection services being provided to those federal employees impacted by the data breach. In the event the OPM does not have an email address for the indi-

Social Media

Find the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick: www.facebook.com/DetrickUSAG www.twitter.com/DetrickUSAG www.flickr.com/DetrickUSAG www.facebook.com/ForestGlenAnnex www.twitter.com/ForestGlenAnnex Find the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command www.facebook.com/USAMRMC www.twitter.com/USAMRMC www.flickr.com/people/usamrmc

vidual on file, a standard letter will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service.

In order to mitigate the risk of fraud and identity theft, the OPM is offering affected individuals credit monitoring services and identity theft insurance with CSID, a company that specializes in identity theft protection and fraud resolution. This comprehensive, 18-month membership includes credit report access, credit monitoring, identity theft insurance and recovery services and is available immediately at no cost to affected individuals identified by the OPM. Additional information is available beginning at 8 a.m. CST on June 8 on the company’s website, www.csid.com/opm (external link), and by calling toll-free (844) 222-2743 (International callers: call col-

lect (512) 327-0700). Additional information is also available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management official webpage, http://www.opm.gov/news/latest-news/ announcements/.

WHAT TO DO

• Check your financial accounts for suspicious activity • Request a free credit report – www.

AnnualCreditReport.com • Review the FTC’s information on identify theft – www.identitytheft.gov • Ask TransUnion to put a fraud alert on your credit line – (800) 680-7289 Report identity theft to the FBI www. ic3.gov and FTC www.identitytheft.gov

What’s Inside

Fort Detrick Volleyball Championship, p. 3

Egret Bed Net Approved for National Stock Number and Field Procurement, p. 4

Genomics Laboratory in Liberia Supports Ebola Virus Outbreak Response, p. 6

COMMENTARY Wow! What a first couple of weeks it has been. Michele, Taylor, Bobby and I appreciate all the support and assistance as we transition from Joint Base LewisMcChord to Fort Detrick. We thank everyone for attending the Change of Command ceremony. We’re excited for the opportunity to lead the U.S. Army Garrison into the next phase.

As I said in my remarks at the Change of Command, I am learning the many acronyms I’ve heard since arriving here. This is definitely a different type of organization than I ever thought I would command, and I appreciate everyone’s patience and tutelage as we continue building the team. Maj. Gen. Brian Lein, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick commander, has given me several priorities in his role as senior commander: continue bringing Fort Detrick in line with Installation Management Command standards, build relationships among the various partners on the installation, address the various environmental challenges Fort Detrick faces (to include energy usage) and build relationships with the local community. We are assessing our posture in each of these areas, as well as others, and I expect to provide that assessment to Maj. Gen. Lein in September. We’ll have multiple opportunities for all stakeholders to provide input over the summer.

I appreciate the candid feedback and recommenda-

tions I’m sure you’ll provide in these sessions. Mutual, positive communication is key to making any organization high performing.

While we’re on the topic of communication, the Army celebrates its 240th birthday on June 14. One hazard of the all-volunteer force, particularly as endstrength declines from its recent peak, is that fewer citizens will have a personal connection to our Soldiers. In fact, today less than 1 percent of the total U.S. population serves in the armed forces. As an institution, all components of the Army must communicate within their communities to maintain public understanding for its core function: support of national interests and national defense. The string of holidays and celebrations that begins with Memorial Day, and continues with the Army Birthday and Independence Day, gives us the opportunity to be visible in the community and connect on a personal level with our neighbors. Please take advantage of these opportunities in a safe and responsible manner that positively represents our profession and community.

I am extremely excited to be the U.S. Army Garrison commander. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can during my visits to your areas and at events here on post.

Support and Defend!

Col. Robert A. O’Brien IV U.S. Army Garrison Commander

After Duty Numbers

Important After Duty Hour Numbers Provost Marshal Office (301) 619-2652 Fire and Emergency Services (301) 619-2528 Near Miss Hotline (301) 619-3164 USAG Network Enterprise Help Desk (301) 619-2049 Balfour Beatty (240) 379-6518 Directorate of Public Works Trouble Desk (301) 619-2726 Barquist Army Health Clinic (866) 379-3981 Post Operator (301) 619-8000

Display ad sales Frederick County Montgomery County Classified ads Circulation Editorial Printed on recycled paper Recycle when finished

301-921-2800 301-921-2800 1-888-670-7100 ext+. 2684 301-670-2591 301-619-3319

The STANDARD is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the military and civilians at Fort Detrick. Circulation is 7,000. The STANDARD is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., 20877, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or Department of Defense. The contents of the STANDARD do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, do not constitute endorse-

ment of DoD. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md. 21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004, telephone 301-619-2018; e-mail: usarmy.detrick.usag.mbx. pao@mail.mil.

Visit our Web site at: www.detrick.army.mil

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Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Command Staff Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein

Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick

Col. Robert A. O’Brien IV U.S. Army Garrison Commander

Editorial Staff Melissa Myers

USAMRMC/Fort Detrick PAO

RICHARD KING

USAG DIRECTORATE OF PLANS, TRAINING, MOBILIZATION AND SECURITY

A few weeks ago, Fort Detrick and other military installations were directed to raise our state of security to Force Protection Bravo. The Fort Detrick installation is still operating at that level. As a result, patrons of Fort Detrick may see additional security measures when entering the installation as well as while traveling throughout the installation.

One such example is persons may be asked to produce picture identification to enter a facility. If asked, please comply with the person requesting; after all, it is a security measure in place for your protection.

We are encouraging everyone -- military, civilian employees, family members and retirees -- to remain extra vigilant during this time. If you see something, say something by calling (301) 619-7114 at Fort Detrick and (301) 295-7545 at Forest Glen. If you are at home or in the community, call your local police department or dial 911.

As many of us are plugged into social media and cannot resist the opportunity to let everyone know where we are or brag about what we are doing, there is also a time to sit back and really think about what we are posting.

Below are some ways to protect yourself and reduce vulnerabilities: • Think before you post. Always assume everyone in the world will be able to see what you are posting, or tweeting, even if the site limits your posts to your friends and family.

• Limit who can view your social media sites, but do not trust these settings as absolute.

• Avoid posting your home or work address and phone numbers, as well as any government or military affiliation.

• Avoid providing detailed accounts of your day (e.g., when you leave for or return from work).

• Never allow smart phone applications to geo-locate your location.

There are also precautions to consider when at home to protect us. While most of these measures are primarily geared toward home burglaries, they can also be employed at other venues such as apartments, hotels and recruiting stations: • Always lock doors, windows and garages • Make sure home entrances are well-lit and minimize bushes where intruders can hide before their ambush • Use the peephole before opening the door to anyone • Don’t use the chain latch to open the door part-way • Don’t open the door to solicitors or strangers • Install solid-core doors, heavy-duty locks and window security systems • Establish a safe-haven • Hold a family meeting to work out home security plans Everyone should always be aware of their surroundings, paying close attention to the people and activity around them and always being on the lookout for things like verbal threats and aggressive behavior. When out to eat with colleagues remember to limit work conversations and pay attention to individuals who may begin asking specifics about job positions and work within the installation. When encountering any of the behaviors identified above, attempt to remove yourself from the situation immediately and report it. If unable to safely to remove yourself from a direct threat situation, you have the right to defend yourself; however, this should be your last resort as one should always attempt to de-escalate the situation when able to.

As a friendly reminder, Anti-Terrorism, OPSEC and Threat Awareness and Reporting Program training are required training modules that will provide further information on how to protect yourself and recognize potential danger. The links to those courses can be found on the Fort Detrick extranet.

Remember, whether active-duty Soldiers, DOD civilians or family members, here at Fort Detrick you are a part of a team with a national mission.

2015 Spring Research Fort Detrick Festival Awards Ceremony Volleyball Championship CRYSTAL MAYNARD

USAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The Spring Research Festival Awards ceremony held May 28 recognized the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research Scientific Symposium collaboration forum and scientific poster winners at the Frederick auditorium.

The NICBR is a consortium of nine partners from four cabinet-level departments with a common vision of federal research partners working in synergy to achieve a healthier and more secure Nation. Each year, the NICBR hosts a four day festival that features seminar sessions, a keynote speaker and scientific poster sessions. This year featured an Ebola Virus mini symposium. Those invited included scientists, citizens, elected officials and students.

Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein addressed the audience and presented awards to the winners and spoke of the dedication and expertise of the NICBR agencies. A total of 33 scientific awards and nine certificates of appreciation were presented by Lein.

Do you want to recognize good performance or let us know areas for improvement?

Please take a few moments of your time to tell us how we are doing by visiting: http://www.detrick. army.mil/ice/.

240 Years Ago an Army was Born

April 1775 saw the sparks of rebellion ignited into the American Revolutionary War when the Battles of Lexington and Concord broke out. There was no United States, just the collection of colonies, and the military was provided by each colony’s own militia. The militias were made up of part-time civilian-Soldiers who served to protect their local areas and, when needed, temporary “provincial regiments” were raised during specific crises, such as the French and Indian War. Recognizing the revolution had started in earnest, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress authorized the raising of a colonial Army consisting of 26 company regiments on April 23, 1775. Not long after, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut followed the lead of Massachusetts and raised their own forces.

The Second Continental Congress, seeing the need for an organization that would provide for the common defense of all the colonies, decided to proceed with the establishment of a Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Incorporating the 22,000 troops already in the Boston area, as well as the 5,000 around New York, they also raised the first 10 companies of continental troops on a one-year enlistment. The next day Congress, by unanimous vote, elected George Washington as commander-in-chief of the new Army.

Congress initially authorized 10 companies of riflemen, but the first full regiment of regular Army infantry, the 3rd Infantry Regiment, was not formed until June 1784. On June 16, Congress created a quartet of departments to support the Army operations: the Adjutant General’s Corps, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Finance Corps and the Quartermasters Corps. Later the Congress would authorize the creation of Field Artillery and Cavalry units in November 1775 and December 1776 respectively.

Initially, the young Army was led by men who had previously served in the British Army or colonial militias, and the training and tactics reflected the British military heritage. The longer the Revolutionary War progressed, and because of French aid, resources and military training, as well as men like Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben who taught the Army Prussian tactics and organizational skills, the new Army started to adopt its own tactics and way of thinking.

Following the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation (the governing body of the United States of America from March 1, 1781, to March 4, 1789) created the United States Army on June 3, 1784, to replace the disbanded Continental Army.

In the 240 years since it was established, the United States Army has earned 188 campaign streamers, and millions of men and women have worn the uniform, helping free untold numbers from dictators and despots, helping victims of natural disaster and improving the quality of life around the world.

Fort Detrick Drinking Water Quality Report

The Fort Detrick intramural volleyball league holds its championship match on May 18 with the Air Force Medical Operations Agency defeating Work in Progress two games to one with scores of 18-25, 25-19 and 15-13. Action above shows Brad Blumenaur (19) of Work in Progress attempting to spike the ball against the block of the AFMOA’s Jason Miller.

Photo by Rob Rodgers, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation

FORT DETRICK’S 2014 DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY REVIEW. The report summarizes water quality information collected by water suppliers to comply with drinking water regulations. In 1996, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, which added a provision requiring all community water systems to deliver to their customers a brief annual water quality report.

Find it at: • The Public Affairs Office, Headquarters, 810 Schreider Street, Suite 213 or call (301) 619-2060; • The Environmental Management Division, 201 Beasley Drive, Suite 204A; • Posted on public bulletin boards in barracks and tenants/organizations and; • Hard copies available at the Post Library, 1520 Freedman Drive.

For more information, call Mark Lewis, Fort Detrick Environmental Management Division, at (301) 619-3136.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

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Egret Bed Net Approved for National Stock Number and Field Procurement ™

DORA M. SEARS

SENIOR TECHNICAL WRITER USAMMDA MEDICAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE

The Egret (TM) Bed Net accommodates standard and oversized Army cots.

Photo courtesy of Erin Bolling, USAMMDA Public Affairs

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The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s Medical Support Systems Project Management Office announced the assignment of a National Stock Number to the Egret™ Bed Net, manufactured by Triton Systems, Inc., making it ready for field procurement. The Egret™ Bed Net is a dual-insecticide-treated net designed to provide enhanced protection to Soldiers against infectious diseases transmitted by flying insect vectors.

Infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever and leishmaniasis, rank among the Department of Defense’s top concerns in preventative health. These diseases have a potential attack rate of 11 to 50 percent per month in multiple

military relevant locations around the world. Lost duty days vary from 7 to 14 days, including approximately five percent requiring evacuation and at least one death every other year.

Triton Systems, Inc., employs a state-of-the-art application technology called Invexus® to impregnate the Egret™ Bed Net with both industry-standard permethrin and deltamethrin.

“A lot of disease-carrying insects are building up a resistance to permethrin,” said Alan Harner, MSS product manager for the Egret™ Bed Net. “The addition of deltamethrin will make this bed net last longer than the other ones that are currently out there.”

The dual insecticide combination also provides a synergistic repellent effect. They work better together than they would separately, according to Harner.

The Egret™ Bed Net complements other MSS preventative medicine products designed to mitigate vector-borne infectious diseases.

“MSS is working to use the Invexus® application technology to impregnate Soldier combat uniforms to provide long-lasting protection,” said Steven Hawbecker, MSS project manager.

According to Hawbecker, MSS is also developing options for improved vector surveillance and identification with the Improved Flying Vector Trap and Carbon Dioxide Generator, which collect a more robust representation of vector species in order to provide better risk assessment and identification of the presence of pathogens.

“With that knowledge, additional preventive tools and controls can be employed to more effectively mitigate the threat,” said Hawbecker.

MSS provided funding to Triton Systems, Inc., through the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research Program to facilitate EPA registration for the dual-insecticide application on the Egret™ Bed Net, a necessary step in obtaining a NSN for the product. Triton Systems received EPA registration in December 2014.

“We were also there to provide feedback for the design… based off of Soldier feedback,” said Harner.

According to Harner, Soldier input from field trials led to zipper replacements and the addition of hanging tabs for personal items. Triton Systems is also looking into adding an optional rain fly.

Hawbecker notes that while the Egret™ Bed Net has great commercial potential for Triton Systems, Inc., in the outdoor recreational market, leveraging its advantages for the protection of Soldiers from infectious diseases is a real benefit for the DOD. Triton Systems, Inc,. is located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Army to Field Operational Camouflage Pattern for Uniforms BOB REINERT

USAG NATICK PUBLIC AFFAIRS

If you can’t see it, you can’t attack it.

Since the conflicts of the 18th century, that’s been the thinking behind military camouflage. Today, when it’s applied to their uniforms, it can save Soldiers lives. That fact has driven the Army’s decades-long efforts to improve its camouflage patterns.

The next step toward greater Soldier protection comes July 1, when the Army begins to make the Operational Camouflage Pattern available for the Army Combat Uniform in select Military Clothing Sales stores. The pattern will replace the current Universal Camouflage Pattern. The UCP has been used for the past decade.

The transition period for the pattern will extend from July 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2019.

The entire Army will be in the Operational Camouflage Pattern by Oct. 1, 2019. New Soldiers will receive ACUs with the pattern beginning in January 2016.

The Operational Camouflage Pattern will be made available to the National Guard, Army Reserve and Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps in summer 2016.

Prompted by Soldier feedback about the UCP, the Army, in 2010, began providing the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern, or OEFCP, to Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. During this period, the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center also began developing

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Courtesy Photo

the pattern that was later named the Operational Camouflage Pattern.

The Operational Camouflage Pattern testing and evaluation effort has been described as the most comprehensive ever conducted by the Army. Different camouflage patterns were evaluated for effectiveness in different operating environments with varied terrain, vegetation, seasons and times of day.

The latest version of the ACU will come in

the Operational Camouflage Pattern and will also incorporate changes resulting from Soldier feedback. These include modifications to the collar, pockets, knee and elbow patches, and trouser waistband. Instead of the current sand color, the Operational Camouflage Pattern will be worn with a tan 499 Tshirt and belt, and coyote brown boots.

The introduction of the ACU in Operational Camouflage Pattern is being phased

in to reduce the cost to both Soldiers and the U.S. taxpayer. During this four-year period, Soldiers will also be permitted to wear uniforms and equipment in OEFCP. The phase-in allows Soldiers to use their annual uniform replacement allowance to gradually replace current uniforms as they wear out. It also allows the Army to use existing stocks of uniforms and other camouflage-printed gear, such as backpacks.

The change is viewed as fiscally responsible. The Operational Camouflage Pattern ACU is expected to have a similar cost to the UCP ACU. “All enlisted Soldiers receive an annual stipend for the purchase of uniforms and accessories,” said Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey. “I myself will wait until I am issued my clothing allowance before purchasing a uniform with the Operational Camouflage Pattern. I encourage all Soldiers and leaders to do the same by budgeting for a new uniform, belt, boots and T-shirts as you receive your clothing allowance over the next two to three years.”

During the transition period, Soldiers may mix and match items with either the OEFCP or the Operational Camouflage Pattern. They can also wear OEFCP Flame Resistant ACUs during that time.

“Presenting a professional appearance is very important to Soldiers, but we will not inconvenience or burden our troops,” said Dailey. “We will still be the most lethal fighting force the world has ever known, even if our belts don’t match for the next few years.”

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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

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Genomics Laboratory Capability in Liberia Supports Ebola Virus Outbreak Response CAREE VANDER LINDEN USAMRIID PAO

Army scientists working to support the Ebola virus outbreak response in West Africa have established the first genomic surveillance capability in Liberia, enabling them to monitor genetic changes in the virus within one week of sample collection. An article describing their work was recently published ahead of print in the online edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In the paper, the team offers a concise evaluation of the potential impact of the evolution of Ebola virus Makona, the strain responsible for the current outbreak, based on genome reconstruction of 25 isolates from Liberia obtained during September 2014–February 2015.

These sequences were consistent with a single virus introduction to Liberia; however, shared ancestry with isolates from Mali indicated at least one additional instance of movement into or out of Liberia, according to senior author Gustavo Palacios, Ph.D., who directs the Center for Genome Sciences at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick.

Until now, efforts to sequence the genome of Ebola virus Makona have been hampered by the time it took to send samples back to the United States for analysis, according to first author Jeffrey Kugelman, Ph.D. “It just wasn’t happening fast enough,” said Kugelman, a viral geneticist at the USAMRIID. “We need answers in days, rather than in weeks or months.”

Kugelman recently returned from Liberia, where he spent four months setting up the genomics laboratory at the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research. The laboratory, a collaborative effort between the LIBR and the USAMRIID, was established to characterize Ebola viral genomes to assess for erosion of diagnostic and therapeutic targets, as well as to provide the scientific and public health communities working in Liberia with viral genomic information.

According to the authors, evaluating changes in the virus in real time is essential to determining whether those changes could have an impact on diagnostics and therapeutics.

“The pace of change is generally consistent with previous estimates of mutation rate,” they noted. “Six of the changes we observed are within known binding sites for sequence-

based Ebola virus medical countermeasures. However, the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of Ebola virus evolution within Liberia appears to be low at this time.”

Palacios said the research team’s work would not have been possible without the establishment of the genomic surveillance laboratory in Liberia, emphasizing the need for global sequencing capabilities to be part of the first response during future virus outbreaks.

“It’s absolutely essential, with this type of viral infection, to have this capability,” said Palacios. “To be able to help establish lines of infection…to be able to look for target erosion in diagnostics and therapeutics…all of these are very important.”

The USAMRIID’s experience with moving laboratory capabilities into a field setting proved invaluable, according to Kugelman.

“We had already established a working relationship with LIBR, thanks to the Ebola virus diagnostics capability that was established by the USAMRIID, the Navy and the National Institutes of Health last year,” said Kugelman. “And because the diagnostics laboratory is already extracting nucleic acid from patient samples, we knew we would be able to use those isolations to perform our sequencing studies without the need for additional biocontainment considerations.”

Several approvals had to be obtained before proceeding with setup, and the team faced numerous logistical challenges in operating the laboratory, according to Kugelman.

Electrical power must be provided by generators, internet capability is via satellite and the instrument, an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform, needs purified water to operate. Kugelman also had to complete a two-week training program to become a certified Illumina technician so he could make needed repairs to the instrument on the spot.

“The sequencing process takes about three days, so a power failure or a fuel shortage can complicate the process even further,” said Kugelman. “But it’s a fully functional genomics lab - and the fact that we’ve been able to put nextgeneration sequencing into the outbreak area has made quite an impact.”

Now that the genomics center at the LIBR has been established, Palacios said, it will be supporting surveillance projects across the country to investigate reservoir animals and insect vectors of disease to identify potential threats.

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Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

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Cpt. Jeffrey Kugelman and Cpt. Suzanne Mate of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases prepare to run genomic analysis of Ebola virus samples at the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research. Establishing this capability at the LIBR allows scientists to monitor genetic changes in the virus within one week of sample collection.

Photo by Randal Schoepp, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

In addition, the center will support ongoing assessment of samples from patients with severe diseases of unknown origin, providing a key public health asset to West Africa. Key to this transition is Suzanne Mate, Ph.D., who is currently serving as the genomics laboratory lead for the USAMRIID in Liberia.

Mate and her colleagues are working closely with public health officials to understand Ebola virus disease transmission, merging epidemiological reporting and genomic surveillance of virus nucleic acids extracted from patient samples in a transmission chain. The newly established genomics laboratory at the LIBR has been instrumental in helping to trace the source of Liberia’s most recent case of Ebola virus infection, which is reported to be linked to sexual contact with an EVD survivor, as described in an article published May 1 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. In response to this case report, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended consistent condom use by male survivors until additional studies are performed to determine how long Ebola virus is present in body fluids and whether it can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Ebola virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates with high mortality rates and continues to emerge in new geographic locations, including West Africa, the site of the largest outbreak to date. Over 26,500 confirmed, probable and suspected cases have been reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with more than 11,000 reported deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

The USAMRIID’s mission is to provide leading-edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. The institute plays a key role as the lead military medical research laboratory for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.

The USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.

This work was supported by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Global Biosurveillance Technology Initiative, the U.S. Agency for International Development and Illumina.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

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Fort Detrick Standard June 12, 2015

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development