WOAH Supports African Members to Boost Biological Threat Reduction Capacities

The Strengthening Health and Biosecurity in Tanzania by Biodetection Capacity Building project is a collaborative effort between the Finnish Defence Forces' Centre for Military Medicine (SOTLK) and the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA), an executive Agency of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, this project aims to strengthen Tanzania’s capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and biothreats. The one-health oriented project, now at the ending of its second phase (2019–2024), is a continuation of its successful Phase I (2014–2018) and aligns with global security frameworks such as the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP).

BIOSECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT IN LATIN AMERICA: CICTE/OAS AND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LAUNCHED NEW RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

While the level of terrorist threats to biosecurity in Latin America remains relatively low, implementing internal measures and national biosafety and biosecurity regulations in laboratories and research centers is crucial. This is an essential step to prevent both intentional and unintentional biological accidents, mitigate risks, and prepare adequate responses in the event of an accident. Despite the experiences of the H1N1 epidemic in 2009 and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, the region has shown vulnerability to biological threats.

The project titled "Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Latin America in line with Resolution 1540," conducted over the past years by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organization of American States (CICTE/OAS) with the support of the European Union, aimed to lay the foundations for a stronger biosafety culture. The project also sought to create a Latin American network of expertise and strengthen biosafety and biosecurity standards and measures across the region.

In the context of the project, CICTE/OAS collaborated with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland. This collaboration resulted in the development of two free online courses in Spanish for laboratory personnel and, more recently, a series of publications showcasing the findings and results of a regional survey of potential biosecurity threats in Latin America.

This two-pronged effort included a comprehensive biosecurity threat assessment of the Central and South American region and four country-level threat assessments for Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Panama. These texts, in Spanish and English, provide a high-level assessment of the region for policy-focused individuals and those responsible for working in or managing the activities of laboratories, reviewing the current situation and assessing future challenges.

By way of background, a 2013 initial publication issued in Spanish, covered the scope and interrelationship of various biosafety and biosecurity concepts, existing international obligations to biosecurity through the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and UN Security Council Resolution 1540, the application of biosecurity across different facility types, and biosecurity risks such as proliferation, bioterrorism, agroterrorism, and bio-crime. Additionally, the publication discusses the five pillars and mechanisms of biosecurity and their application in the region.

The four countries featured in these studies have demonstrated a strong commitment to bio-risk reduction at all levels of the public and private sectors in creating safer environments. CICTE/OAS has facilitated cooperation within various funded programs, including peer review exercises and sub-regional and national workshops on biosafety and biosecurity. These reports aim to contribute to further strengthening controls and developing safer activities in handling biological agents to reduce security risks.

It is expected that these works will serve as effective tools for other countries in the region moving in a similar direction, aiding them in consolidating regulatory and control mechanisms in accordance with established international standards. CICTE/OAS expresses gratitude to the experts who participated in the project, sharing their knowledge and experiences, as well as the national authorities of all the involved countries for their trust, solid commitment, and ongoing work in strengthening compliance with international obligations.

Through these publications, CICTE/OAS reaffirms its traditional institutional support for the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The organization continues to express its willingness to collaborate in efforts aimed at ensuring greater regional security from multiple perspectives for all countries in the Americas.

The publications can be found and downloaded here: https://www.oas.org/ext/es/seguridad/unscr1540

One of the main focus of the EU-funded project is delivering in-person workshops. In the last six months, OAS/CICTE carried out seven face-to-face training courses for laboratory personnel and scientists from the live science fields. These workshops were designed to increase awareness of bio-risks and to strengthen knowledge on the challenges concerning biological safety and security. These courses took place, respectively, in Asuncion (Paraguay) from 17 to 21 April, Panama City (Panama) from 5 to 9 June, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) from 17 to 21 July, Bogotá (Colombia) from 24 to 28 July, Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 7 to 11 August, Montevideo (Uruguay) from 8 to 11 August, and Santiago (Chile) from 4 to 8 September. On average, some 30 participants from public or private institutions and research centers attended each of these courses.

Training in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 17-21, 2023 Professionals from: 12 laboratories, 7 hospitals, 4 health government agencies and 11 academia

Strengthening Health and Biosecurity in Tanzania Through Biodetection Capacity Building

Achievements

During Phase I, five key TVLA laboratories were equipped with modern diagnostic tools, including quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instruments and biosafety cabinets, to identify a panel of zoonotic pathogens, including e.g. Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Brucella species (brucellosis), and Rift Valley fever virus. Over 30 Tanzanian laboratory personnel were trained in biosafety, biosecurity, and qPCR diagnostics, using a "Training-of-Trainers" approach to ensure sustainable local capacity.

Phase II has further strengthened these capacities. A biannual disease surveillance scheme was introduced, ensuring regular monitoring of zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and anthrax. Over 40 experts have been trained in biosafety and advanced diagnostic methods, enabling TVLA to conduct independent training sessions. Tanzania’s national health security system saw significant improvements, as highlighted in the 2023 WHO Joint External Evaluation (JEE) results, with enhanced national laboratory capabilities.

Selection of detection methods

The qPCR method was chosen as the diagnostic tool for this project due to its sensitivity, reliability, and suitability for Tanzanian field conditions. qPCR enables the detection of pathogens such as anthrax and brucellosis from various sample types (e.g., blood, milk) without the need to culture live, dangerous organisms. This significantly reduces biosafety risks while ensuring fast and accurate results. qPCR is also adaptable to the facilities available in Tanzania’s laboratories, making it a pragmatic choice for a low-resource setting. Its real-time detection capabilities mean that results can be produced within hours, allowing for quick action in the event of an outbreak.

Risk Assessment and Biosafety Measures

Risk assessment is a crucial component of the diagnostic process, especially when dealing with dangerous pathogens. In this project, protective measures have been carefully selected based on risk assessments conducted for each diagnostic method. For example, during sample collection and processing, stringent biosafety protocols are followed to protect both the laboratory staff and the environment. The use of biosafety cabinets and full protective gear (such as Tyvek suits and FFP3 respiratory protection for high-risk pathogens like anthrax) ensures that dangerous pathogens are handled safely.

Achievements

Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP)

This project is aligned with Finland’s commitments under the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP), a multilateral initiative launched in 2002 to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The project specifically supports the GP’s biological security agenda by building local capacities to detect and manage biological threats. By improving Tanzania’s diagnostic and surveillance systems, the project contributes to preventing the misuse of dangerous pathogens, which could potentially be weaponized.

Moreover, this initiative supports the GP’s Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa (SIMBA), which focuses on enhancing biosafety and biosecurity across African nations. By strengthening local diagnostic capabilities and establishing a comprehensive surveillance scheme, the project helps reduce the risks posed by biothreats, contributing both to regional and global security efforts.

Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The project has also played a key role in Tanzania’s ratification of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in 2019. By facilitating the participation of TVLA director in BWC meetings, the project has helped align Tanzania with global non-proliferation norms. This step reinforces Tanzania’s biosecurity framework and contributes to international efforts to prevent the misuse of biological agents for warfare or terrorism.

Finnish Defence Forces’ Expertise and Field Experience

The project has provided the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) with invaluable experience in operating in challenging field conditions, such as high temperatures, power outages, and limited infrastructure. These experiences have enhanced the FDF’s preparedness for biological threats, with lessons learned informing the development of Finland’s mobile CBRN diagnostic laboratories and high-biosafety practices. The field-ready methods tested and refined during this project, including the use of portable qPCR systems, have proven effective in detecting pathogens rapidly in remote or under-resourced environments.

Conclusion

The Strengthening Health and Biosecurity in Tanzania project continues to play a crucial role in enhancing Tanzania’s health security, building on Finland’s commitment to global biosafety and biosecurity frameworks. Through a combination of capacity building, international collaboration, and the development of advanced diagnostic tools, the initiative contributes both to strengthening local health security and to global efforts to prevent the spread of biological threats. The project also exemplifies how international cooperation and long-term capacity building can mitigate global risks posed by biological threats, ensuring preparedness for both natural outbreaks and potential bioterrorism scenarios.

Contacts

Principal investigator in Finland, Professor Simo Nikkari (Center for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces) (simo.nikkari@mil.fi)

Principal investigator in Tanzania, Dr. Zachariah Makondo (Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) (zmakondo@gmail.com)

Project coordinator Dr. Henri Arola (Center for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces) (henri.o.arola@mil.fi)

Lessons Learned

Practical Approaches and Focus: Keeping methods straightforward and focused has been key to success.
Ensuring Ownership and Commitment: Activities are tailored to meet the host country’s needs, emphasizing dialogue and avoiding top-down approaches.
Networking and Collaboration: Working with other stakeholders and institutions in a one-health framework has been essential to prevent overlaps and create synergies.
Effective Training-of-Trainers Approach: The Training-of-Trainers model has proven highly effective, enabling local sustainability.
Impact with Limited Resources: Significant impact can be achieved even without vast resources.