HHS Launches New Portable Biocontainment Unit, Only Domestic Capability of Transporting and Treating Patients With High-consequence Infectious Disease

Excerpt:  “The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response today launched a new Portable Biocontainment Unit (PBCU) for high-consequence infectious disease patients during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Hubert Humphry building. Earlier this year the ASPR, part of HHS, completed development of the PBCU. The PBCU is the first domestic resource for isolating and transporting patients with contagious infectious diseases, for example Ebola, to Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTC). The unit can be transported by air on a C-130 or L-100 aircraft to any U.S. airport or by ground via specialized trailer that can be pulled by a tractor or semi-truck. This allows for continuous treatment of patients isolated in the unit until they can receive more definitive care at a RESPTC hospital.”