Security solutions in the event of biological threats
Introduction
The current suspected Ebola case in the Czech Republic has clearly demonstrated the importance of well-functioning security concepts when biohazards occur.
Biological threats can arise from natural events or be human-caused. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how a pathogen can severely disrupt global health, socioeconomic, and political systems.
Global changes are creating an environment that continually increases the risk of future epidemics. A common denominator among these factors is the change in the habitats of humans and animals. This is caused by global warming, increasing population density, and increased mobility, including migration flows.
Confirmed highly infectious diseases such as those caused by the well-known Ebola or Marburg viruses are fortunately rare. However, there are numerous other life-threatening infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the highest risk group. These include, for example, the Crimean-Congo fever virus, which is already present in Europe. The volatile geopolitical situation also means that the intentional release of biological substances, whether in the form of highly pathogenic pathogens or biotoxins, cannot be ruled out.
Any suspicion of a possible infection always represents an interdisciplinary emergency and requires highly coordinated cooperation between rescue organizations, first responder teams, specialized clinics, authorities, airports, and border crossings. This circumstance underscores the importance of the ongoing development and improvement of emergency and pandemic plans, as well as biosafety precautions.
What makes biological threats so dangerous? It is primarily the "invisibility" of the biological threat that can delay necessary protective measures and fuel fears among the population. A novel virus, for example, that spreads via airborne transmission can lead to an exponential increase in the number of infected people until appropriate quarantine or lockdown measures are implemented and diagnostic tests, therapeutics, or effective vaccinations become available.
Effective protection against biological hazards is based on the pillars of knowledge, prevention, equipment, and training. A lack of general knowledge about biological threats can significantly increase the resulting damage. Therefore, professional exchange and international networking play a key role. Initiatives to increase the biological safety of facilities that work with dangerous pathogens, as well as equipping critical infrastructures and institutions for an early response to a biological threat, are important preventive measures.
Fortunately, both pandemics and bioterrorist attacks are rare. However, a lack of preparation and inadequate implementation of effective protective measures can lead to widespread health and severe economic damage.
Goals
In Austria, responsibility for developing safety and pandemic strategies lies with the individual federal states and the relevant institutions—such as hospitals, airports, or organizers of large events. A uniform, overarching national strategy does not yet exist. Standardized procedures (SOPs), standardized equipment, and regular training are lacking.
CBRN.ZONE aims to support systemically important institutions and organizations in optimizing their security standards and offering customized solutions from a single source. The team consists of a network of experts from the fields of medicine, molecular biomedicine, NBC defense, fire service, hygiene, and research. Consultants come from universities, civilian, and military organizations.
Scenarios and requirements
Biological hazards are diverse and require different approaches to solving them.
Scenario 1: If a single person is suspected of having a high-risk infection (e.g. Ebola), currently existing HIT teams (high-risk infection transport teams) can quickly isolate the person and transport them safely to the appropriate specialist hospital.
Scenario 2: The situation develops differently if an unclear high-level infection occurs, rapidly spreading exponentially and causing life-threatening symptoms in multiple individuals. It is irrelevant whether this is a new pandemic virus or a deliberately induced release of highly pathogenic germs (e.g., smallpox). The incubation period is usually several days to weeks and progresses gradually. People will visit hospitals in ever-increasing numbers, quickly overwhelming available resources. In such a case, it is important to quickly create mobile capacities to establish spatial structures, conduct triage, ensure the isolation of infected individuals, and secure medical services in the short to medium term. The focus is on protecting medical facilities, minimizing the risk of infection to other individuals, and expanding mobile vaccination centers. Protection at airports, border crossings, bus, and train stations must also be considered, as many people will want to leave the country in crisis situations.
Scenario 3: A terrorist attack involving biotoxins such as anthrax typically occurs in crowded locations to effectively spread fear and panic. Potentially dangerous locations include airports, train stations, subway stations, public transportation, or event venues. This scenario requires mobile resources that can be deployed quickly at the scene. In addition to triage, isolation, and medical treatment facilities, decontamination tents and a mobile laboratory are needed to quickly analyze the biological or chemical substances.
Scenario 4: Last but not least, refugee flows and illegal migration can also increase the risk of pandemics. Mobile reception centers with isolation tents, decontamination showers, and field hospitals are important for containing biological threats of viral and bacterial origin at national borders.
Local and mobile solutions
Biohazard protection can be designed as standardized, external, mobile structures, as a customized internal solution, or as a hybrid of both. The capabilities mentioned include the following equipment:
- Personal protective equipment (respiratory protection, protective suits, hand and foot protection, etc.)
- Mobile tents and tent systems (reception, triage, isolation ward, field hospital, command center, etc.)
- Decontamination showers or tents (for people and equipment)
- Isolator boxes and solutions (for rapid personal and hospital bed isolation)
- Bio-Boxes BSL 3/4 (as mobile isolation intensive care units)
- Medical equipment and medicines
- Mobile laboratories (for initial analysis of pollutants and biotoxins)
- Detectors and rapid tests (spectrometers, rapid tests for biotoxins, chemical weapons detection, explosives detectors, etc.)
- IT and communications equipment
In terms of human resources, the following specialist groups are required:
- management personnel
- Medical personnel (doctors, paramedics, nurses)
- Psychological staff
- Technical staff
- Administrative staff
- security personnel
- Personnel with special qualifications (disinfectors, drivers, IT specialists, etc.)
If protective measures are to be maintained in the medium or long term, the following needs must also be taken into account in the planning:
- Energy supply
- Ventilation, heating, air conditioning
- Food supply
- Waste and wastewater management
- Storage options
- Corpse management
- logistics
- Traffic concept
- Recruitment, supply and training of personnel
Depending on the situation, all or only parts of these equipment and personnel resources may be required. The " Biodefense Modular Concept (BMC) " regulates these needs depending on the initial situation, thus enabling a rapid response to biological threats with the possibility of a customized modular expansion of protective measures.
Quality assurance
The effectiveness of all protective measures is primarily positively influenced by the following factors:
- High-quality products
- High-quality training and comprehensive training
Both areas are covered by CBRN.ZONE. The network consists exclusively of selected, certified industry partners. Each product is offered with the option of detailed product training.
The Academy offers medical training courses that are approved by the Medical Association and certified as emergency physician refresher courses.
In summary
As a network partner, CBRN.ZONE supports relevant organizations with technical expertise, scientifically sound knowledge transfer, targeted communications coordination, and customized equipment solutions for the CBRN field, with a focus on biological hazards. The offering is complemented by certified training courses, product training, and the organization and implementation of exercise scenarios.
