Your public health laboratory system is prepared to confront such serious community threats as emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, growing antimicrobial drug resistance, contaminated and overburdened water supplies, and foodborne pathogens associated with new and imported food products. The State laboratories are also improving disease prevention and control by implementing new molecular and genetic technologies to identify and track infectious microorganisms responsible for disease outbreaks, by detecting cancers associated with microorganisms and hazardous chemicals, by monitoring gene mutations associated with treatable genetic defects, and by implementing new equipment and procedures to help limit and control the effects of bioterrorism. Since 9/11, Maryland's Laboratories Administration has greatly expanded the analytical support it provides to federal agencies. We are a regional and national, as well as a State resource.
The Laboratories Administration in the Maryland Department of Health provides diagnostic and reference services to Maryland hospitals, as well as support to our local health departments. Environmental testing is committed to safeguarding the health of Maryland citizens. This testing also supports the enforcement of the Federal Food and Drug Act, Chesapeake Bay Program, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, the Federal Safe Drinking and Clean Water Acts.
We envision a future in which all citizens of Maryland are protected from infectious diseases, environmental hazards, treatable hereditary disorders and substandard consumer products through analytical testing, surveillance, data management, enforcement of standards, assessment and leadership skills provided by the State’s public health laboratory.
