Preparing against pandemic outbreaks: the outcomes of the research workshop on managing risks of chemical, biological and radio-nuclear origin, organized in the scope of the “Cbrn-Italy” project, coordinated by Andrea de Guttry (Sant’Anna School)
Not only the adoption of adequate pandemic preparedness plans. At least 14 measures shall be implemented by States following international obligations and recommendations in order to be prepared to deal with epidemic outbreaks. This is one of the outcomes of the research workshop on managing risks of chemical, biological and radio-nuclear origin, organized in the scope of the “Cbrn-Italy” project, coordinated by prof. Andrea de Guttry from the Dirpolis Institute at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. The project is funded by the PRIN Programme of the Italian Ministry of University and Research and has the objective to map international obligations applicable to emergency situations of CBRN origin broadly defined, i.e. covering not only CBRN malicious events, such as terrorism and weapons, but also industrial accidents and naturally occurring events such as epidemic outbreaks. In a second phase, the project will look at the implementation of these obligations and recommendations in Italy.
In this context, Professor de Guttry discusses the outcomes of his analysis on international preparedness rules applicable to epidemic outbreaks. The international community generally recognizes the importance of adopting adequate, timely and continuously updated prevention measures to reduce the risk of global health emergencies and pandemics. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by COVID-19, with its assumed mutation capacity, even the most sophisticated preventive measures cannot avoid the spread of new diseases. “States are expected, therefore, to adopt specific preparedness measures to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts of likely pandemics” de Guttry emphaises. These measures have gained increasing interest in many treaties all over the world.
What are thus the key obligations and recommendations that can be identified at the international level to be prepared to deal with epidemic outbreaks?
According to prof. de Guttry, “Examples include to regular update emergency planning, to establish legal and operational frameworks to allow both first responders and law enforcement officers (if needed) to intervene quickly and safely; to maintain effective disease surveillance and laboratory systems with enough capacity to analyse samples (domestically or through collaborating centres), to detect and report diseases or deaths above expected levels in all areas within the territory of a State and to report newly emerging diseases that could spread internationally”.
Other measures may involve “to encourage rapid, systematic and timely sharing of H5N1 and other influenza viruses with human pandemic potential with WHO Collaborating Centres on Influenza and WHO H5 Reference Laboratories; to ensure ongoing global monitoring, risk assessment and the development of safe and effective influenza vaccines in conformity with the Standard Material Transfer Agreement”. It is also crucial “to maintain the necessary infrastructure to respond to health emergencies and the ability of the health system to expand beyond normal operations to meet a sudden increased demand; to guarantee the availability, when needed, of enough support from specialised staff and logistical assistance to be activated through a proper emergency organisation and through the establishment of a more extensive global, public health reserve workforce; to make available adequate and updated equipment, including, where appropriate, personal protective clothing, decontamination lorries”. Furthermore, important steps shall be taken “to adopt clear provisions on the chain of command during a pandemic event; to deliver adequate training and exercises to prepare and test relevant staff; to ensure that designated National Focal Points – established under the International Health Regulations – have the authority, resources, procedures, knowledge and training to communicate with all levels of their government and on behalf of their governments as necessary; to provide coordination and capabilities at the national and regional levels; to collect and disseminate information of science and technology developments, including new research in areas relevant to the Convention, exchanging information about databases and networks and ensuring access to such databases and networks”.
“Unfortunately – concludes de Guttry – available country-level data confirm that most countries currently have low-to-moderate levels of national preparedness. Covid-19 has shown that too much fragmentation exists at the national level on the implementation of international obligations. State’s failures to implement preparedness obligations codified in an international binding treaty amount to a violation of international law. Considering the innovative drugs and diagnostics currently available as well as new early-warning technologies and technical tools, inaction can no longer be justified, whether in legal, political or moral terms”.
Cover photo: Andrea de Guttry.
