St. Charles County is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to bring a Biosecurity program to Missouri.
The St. Charles County Council approved an ordinance in July allowing at least three monitoring sites to be set up in the County this fall. Samples from the sites will be tested daily for biological “agents" or intentionally released pathogens. The program was started in 2003 after the 2001 anthrax attack, where terrorists sent letters containing anthrax spores through the U.S. Postal Service, killing 5 people.
While there's no active threats to our region now, Rob Wylie, Assistant Director of Administration for St. Charles County, says DHS asked the County to take part after St. Louis County opted out of the program after 18 years.
DHS will fully fund the three sites and between 6 and 8 jobs to staff them.
In the podcast above, Wylie further explains the program is and how it will affect County residents.
It will monitor the air for potential biological pathogens.
It will monitor the air for potential biological pathogens.
