biological threats

The Hong Kong Government’s Approach to Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness

June 23, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Hong Kong is well prepared for any kind of biothreat. Picture by Shutterstock

Since the Hong Kong health system is often an important gatekeeper with regard to pandemics, I was interested to find out how the government structures preparedness efforts for both unintentional and intentional biological incidents.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, I spoke to a senior officer who is working for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). We discussed the Hong Kong Government’s approach to bioterror and public health preparedness.

New Bioterrorism and Biowarfare Threats Resulting from COVID-19

May 12, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

The devastation of the world economy by the coronavirus crisis might inspire potential terrorists. Picture by Shutterstock

As the coronavirus spreads around the world, we can only now see the destructive path it has taken and the devastating effects the virus has on economies and lives alike. The damage of the coronavirus has been “quick and enormous – much greater than 9/11 – and worldwide”, with the virus destroying “economies, governments, and technical infrastructures of the world’s most advanced economies”[1].

The Climate Connection

March 10, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Climate change increases the risk of new epidemics. Picture by Shutterstock/ diy13

I originally created this blog as a way to spread awareness of the importance of public health preparedness, as it was an undervalued and underfunded topic. However, times have changed and public health and emergency management are at the forefront of news and public policy today as a result of COVID-19.

The Dual Use Dilemma

January 8, 2020 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

How do you control new pathogens? Picture by Shutterstock/Ranjith Ravindran

An important issue in the public health area today is dual use research and technology, a topic that often remains unspoken about and unknown to the public. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “dual use research of concern (DURC) is life sciences research that is intended for benefit, but which might easily be misapplied to do harm”. Continue Reading

The Norwegian Approach to Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness

December 21, 2019 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Norway has a universal health system. Photo by Mia Tellmann

As with many other countries around the world, biodefense and public health planning, surveillance, and response are the responsibilities of numerous intertwined agencies within a country that all have different assignments and responsibilities, yet have to work together to successfully protect a nation from harm.

Last summer, I interviewed a Norwegian public health expert who chose to remain anonymous. She shared with me valuable information regarding the Norwegian Government’s approach to public health. As the Norwegian health system is universal and available to everyone, I was interested to find out how they organize pandemic preparedness and the agencies involved. Continue Reading

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.