biological threats

Learnings on Biodefense Preparedness from Singapore

October 14, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Singapore’s Gardens By The Bay. Photo by Mia Tellmann

All around the world, the structure and security measures for biodefense preparedness vary. Countries have very distinct strategies based on their location, size, and type of government. I was particularly interested in Singapore, a very small country of only 5.8 million residents and 278 square miles, because of its reputation for efficiency and high standards. Therefore, I asked the Singaporean Government if they could share information on their approach to protecting their country from biological threats. Continue Reading

Update on Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

July 27, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Ebola virus. Picture by Shutterstock/ jaddigt

The World Health Organization has recently declared the nearly year-long Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a Public-Health Emergency of International Concern. The declaration was made after recent developments in the outbreak made it one of international concern. Continue Reading

A Japanese Perspective on Outbreak Preparedness: Prevention and Response to Biological Threats

March 17, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Dr. Tomoya Saito

Last summer, I met with Dr. Tomoya Saito in Tokyo to learn about outbreak and bioterror preparedness in Japan.

Our conversation will be posted in two parts. Part I (below) is about the role that different Japanese institutions play to prevent and respond to biological threats. In Part II (to be posted soon) we will discuss how dual-use technologies change the risk of biothreats.

Dr. Saito is Chief Senior Researcher at the Department of Health Crisis Management of the National Institute of Public Health of Japan (NIPH). His current area of research is biosecurity, public health emergency preparedness and response, and simulation epidemiology. He is based in Saitama, Japan.

Book Review of “Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats”

February 15, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, book by Jeffrey R. Ryan. Photo by Mia Tellmann

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Containing and Preventing Biological Threats, by Jeffrey R. Ryan, is a very comprehensive and multi-faceted book. This was one of the first books that I read when I began learning about global public health and it gave me a great introduction into the sometimes complicated field of bioterrorism.

A Canadian Perspective on Genomics and Outbreak Preparedness

January 15, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Suneil Malik, PhD. Photo courtesy of McGill University, Canada

I recently spoke with Dr. Suneil Malik about genomics and outbreak preparedness.

Dr. Malik is a Manager and Team Leader for Toxicology at Health Canada, a government agency directed by the Canadian Minister of Health. He is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

National Biodefense Strategy 2018: The US Government’s Latest Approach to Combat Biological Threats

November 24, 2018 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Scientists in high security lab. Picture by Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff

On the preparedness front in the United States, the new National Biodefense Strategy was released on September 19, 2018. The new strategy establishes clear and thoughtful goals that will become a vital part of “managing the risk of biological incidents… in today’s interconnected world” ¹. Continue Reading