ESRC Seminar, 8-9 January 2007
University of Sussex, Brighton
Biorisk reduction: A WHO approach
Emmanuelle Tuerlings
Biorisk reduction for dangerous pathogens
Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and
Response
World Health Organization
Health
z
WHO Constitution
"a sate of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of diseases or infirmity"
"the health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and
security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals
and States".
Human security (1)
z
Background
– evolution of threats and insecurities
– seminal reports – 1994 UNDP and 2003 Human Security Now
z
What is new? What is the added value?
Human security (2)
z
Definition of the Commission on Human Security
– the protection of "the vital core of all human lives in ways that
enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment"
– addresses both "freedom from fear" and "freedom from want"
– link human rights, development, security together
– people-centred
z
Criticisms
– E.g. too broad, health being securitized
Global health security
z
Global Health security at WHO
– Global Alert and Response Operations (WHA54.14, 2001) (with
GOARN: Global outbreak and response network)
– Preparedness for the unexpected (WHA55.16, 2002)
– International Health Regulations (WHA58.3, 2005)
– Laboratory biosafety (WHA58.29, 2005)
So what?
z
Health, human security and global health security
So one advantage of a global health security framework is that it
broadens the traditional national security approach to allow the
emphasis to be placed on the public health approach.
Biorisk Reduction Management
Accidental
exposure
Deliberate
use
Natural infection
Specific
pathogens
expertise
Outbreak
response
coordination
Map global
laboratory
resources
Surge
response
capacity
Safety of staff and environment
Promote
responsible
biomedical
research
Deliberate threat
response
preparedness
Laboratory
biosafety and
biosecurity
Protecting valuable biological materials
Laboratory Resource Mapping
Building the Network Directory, brick by brick
GLaDNet is the “mortar” part of the wall
•Get to “know your neighbors” in
GO
N
Academ
advance
of event response
ic
institut
e
•Harmonization
of basic operations
(protocols, logistics, communication)
Regional
public
Agent-specific
•Serve
to implement
WHOCC
health institute
lab network
International Health Regulations
National
reference lab
Private lab
Regional lab
network
International
reference lab
National lab
network
Expert
Disease specific
(selected BW agents, 2nd ed. WHO publication)
BACTERIA
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
ACTIVITIES
Anthrax
Brucellosis
Glanders
Melioidosis
Tularaemia
Plague
Q Fever
Typhus Fever
zGlobal
network of anthrax experts and
laboratories
zAnthrax
guidelines 4th edition (coming soon)
zReport
on 2003 survey on anthrax (being
finalized)
zSecond
survey on anthrax being drafted
World Health Organization
Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response
Global Alert and Response
Disease-Specific Networks: Anthrax
Questionnaire for Laboratories
FUNGI
1. Contact details
Name of laboratory
Address
City
Postal code
World Health Organization
Country
Global Alert and Response
Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response
Telephone
Fax
– Coccidioidomycosis
Disease-Specific Networks: Anthrax
Questionnaire for Laboratories
Email
Web site
Name of director of the laboratory
Title
Telephone
1. Contact details
Name of laboratory ______________________________________________________
Fax
Address ________________________________________________________________
Email
City ________________________
VIRUSES
Telephone ________________________
Fax ________________________________
Title
Email ____________________________
Web site ___________________________
Telephone
Fax
Email
Ministry of Health
Telephone _______________
___________________________________________
Fax _______________ Email ____________________
Ministry of Agriculture
– Venezuelan equine
encephalomyelitis
– Smallpox
Other ministries (please specify)
Person responsible for anthrax activities ____________________________________
Universities
Title (Prof., Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss)
Private laboratories
Other (please specify)
improving public health
preparedness for
and response to
the threat of epidemics
Director of the laboratory ________________________________________________
Title (Prof., Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss)
2. Your laboratory is affiliated to:
Disease-specific networks:
Post code ________________________________
Country ________________________________________________________________
Name of person responsible for anthrax activities
Telephone _______________
___________________________________________
Fax _______________ Email ____________________
2. Your laboratory is affiliated to:
…
…
…
…
…
…
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Agriculture
Other ministries (please specify) ______________________________________
Universities
Private laboratories
Other (please specify) _______________________________________________
Mission statement
To strengthen global disease-specific networks
of experts and laboratories able to
provide technical support to response activities
in Member States, particularly developing countries,
related to the natural occurrence, accidental release,
or deliberate use of biological agents
that affect health.
World Health Organization
Global Alert and Response
Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response
Laboratory Biosafety and
Biosecurity
Laboratory Accidents and Bio-Risks
Selected examples of laboratory acquired
infections in “well-equipped and trained”
laboratories:
SARS: Singapore, 2003
SARS: Taiwan, 2003
SARS: China, 2004
Tularemia: USA, 2004
Ebola: Russia, 2004
Potential exposure (high consequence):
Anthrax: Soviet Union, 1979; USA, 2005
H2N2: USA, 2005
WHO Laboratory Biosafety
WHO Biosafety
To promote the use of safe practices in the
handling of pathogenic microorganisms
•in the laboratory
•during transportation
•in field investigations
•in manufacturing facilities
•in health-care facilities
E
F E
S F
P S
Ch P
Ru Ch
Ru
"Laboratory biosafety" describes containment principles, technologies and practices
implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins, or their
accidental release.
WHO Laboratory Biosecurity
WHO Biosecurity
To promote the protection of valuable biological
materials and their safekeeping in the laboratory
•public health laboratories
•animal and food laboratories
•academic and research institutions
• field investigation station
•Industrial and manufacturing facilities
•health-care facilities
Biorisk management:
Laboratory Biosecurity
WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION
W ORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
1
“Laboratory biosecurity” describes the concept, process and objective of managing
biorisks associated, in laboratories, with valuable biological materials, increasing its
protection, control and accountability in order to prevent their unauthorized access,
their loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release.
Preparedness for Deliberate
Epidemics
Guidance for public health
preparedness
Managing the health
risks of the deliberate
use of biological and
chemical agents or
radioactive material:
Guidance on capacity
assessment
being finalized
Biorisks from deliberate use
Low probability, high
consequence
New science and
technology
Life science research and global
health security project
z
z
Objectives
1.
engage dialogue
2.
raise awareness
Importance of health research
Health and research
Globalization of life science research and technologies
– Global dispersion
– Pace of discovery
10/90 gap in health research
– Link with development
– Lack of investments, inappropriate priorities, capacity
development and retention
Life science research and global health
security project
z Measures to address the risks
– self-governance (code of conducts, responsibility)
– regulatory approaches (legislation on access to labs)
z
Impact on public health
z
Public confidence in
science
z
Information vary among
Member States
Life science research and global health
security project
z
Outcomes of Phase I:
1. Raising awareness document
2. Internal and external networks
3. Collaboration
Life science research and global health
security project
z
Objectives of Phase II:
– Engage dialogue and listen through regional activities
– Verify the added value of the public health approach
– Explore the needs and perceptions in developing countries
– Assess the need for WHO further actions
z
Scientific Working Group (16-18 October 2006)
z
Electronic platform (January-February 2007)
z
Regional activities
z
Review of the process
Thank you