preparedness

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.

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

November 24, 2018 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Ebola virus. Picture by jaddingt/Shutterstock

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

A Conversation About Pandemic Preparedness – Part 2

November 12, 2018 by Mia Tellmann Leave a Comment

Professor Benjamin J. Cowling. Photo courtesy of School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

This is the second part of my conversation with Professor Benjamin J. Cowling about influenza pandemic prevention and preparedness. The first part was about pandemic preparedness and genomics. In this part, Prof. Cowling focuses on national and global responses.

A Conversation About Pandemic Preparedness – Part 1

November 2, 2018 by Mia Tellmann 2 Comments

Professor Benjamin J. Cowling. Photo courtesy of The University of Hong Kong

I recently spoke with Professor Benjamin J. Cowling about influenza pandemic prevention and preparedness.

Our conversation will be posted in two parts. The first part below is about pandemic preparedness and genomics. The second part (to be posted next week) will examine national and global responses.