African Science Academy Development Initiative U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Improving Biosafety and Biosecurity in Africa Annual Meeting of the African Science Academy Development Initiative UNCLASSIFIED November 4, 2008

United States Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Engagement Programs ISN/CTR Russia- Former Soviet Union Iraq Libya Global Security Historic Role: Nunn-Lugar, WMD scientist engagement in the former Soviet Union, Iraq and Libya Today: Global programs, combating emerging bioterrorism threat 15 years of CTR programming Bio programming since 1998 Distinction from DoD CTR: DoD CTR has not moved out globally (mostly FSU) Large scale programs/capacity building/dismantling DOS CTR more nimble and flexible in threat driven programming G8 mostly nuke/missile, but expanded bio authority through G-8 under consideration Bio Security 10M for G-8 Global Partner 2002-2012 U.S. interested to renew and expand (+ 10B/10yrs)

U.S. National/Homeland Security Presidential Directive combating the threat U.S. National/Homeland Security Presidential Directive Biodefense for the 21st Century, April 2004: “Biological weapons in the possession of hostile states or terrorists pose unique and grave threats to the safety and security of the United States and our allies.” Essential pillars of national biodefense program Threat Awareness Risk assessment and international engagement Prevention and Protection Pathogen security and sustainable lab capacity building Surveillance and Detection Strengthen international systems and connectivity Response and Recovery Mitigation and outbreak control Comprehensive engagement through full spectrum of preparedness and response Biodefense is broadly defined Surveillance/Detection AI work in FSU Response/Recovery Anthrax prophylaxis Vaccine development

Chronic Disease spectrum of bio-risk Emerging Disease Addressing dual-use bio threat should be dual-benefit Chronic Disease Emerging Disease Misuse of Dual use Technology Bio Terror Bio War Working together to build global public health capacity will: 1) Reduce the impact of the left end of the spectrum, 2) Reduce the likelihood of the right half of the spectrum, 3) Provide some transparency regarding capabilities and intent, and 4) Undermine the popular support for terrorism. .

Emerging Infectious Disease global biological threats Recent Emerging Infectious Disease in Africa Monkeypox virus Ebola/Marburg hemorrhagic fever viruses Rift Valley Fever virus Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Novel Arenavirus Global outbreaks of emerging and reemerging infectious disease Infectious disease undermines security, stability and peace Recent Emerging Infectious Disease in Africa Monkeypox – DRC Rift Valley Fever – Kenya Ebola/Marburg hemorrhagic fever viruses – DRC High Path AI – Nigeria and Egypt Novel Arenavirus - South Africa/Zambia Morens, DM et. al. Nature. 8 Jul 2004

modern global biological threat Global outbreaks of infectious disease Natural outbreaks represent unpredictable sources of dangerous pathogens Radical/Terrorist threat Terrorist groups have established intent to do harm; use of BW represents a potential threat Dual-use biotechnology Increasing vulnerability of the legitimate bioscience sector for accidental release or intentional misuse

combating the threat International Biodefense Goals: Raise awareness of biological threats Promote cooperation across human and animal health, research, scientific, and security communities Reduce impact of biological threats Strengthen global security Pave way for peace and security through improved public health

DOS-CTR Biological Engagement Worldwide DOS-CTR global biological engagement Initial Engagement (Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, S. Africa, Sudan, Morocco, Yemen, Libya, Kenya, Brazil ) Preliminary Engagements (Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Djibouti, Columbia, Argentina ) Historic Engagement (Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova) In-depth Engagement (Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Iraq, Egypt) Assessments for Future Planning (Africa, Middle East, South America )

$26M in partnerships for bio threat reduction International Foundation for Technology and Investment U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation International Science and Technology Center partnership types: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Inspection Service U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 12% Universities and NAS 17% NGOs 71% USG Agencies Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response Sandia National Laboratories U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, U.S. Armed Forces Research Institute for Medical Sciences IAAs useful channel since USDA/CDC etc.. budgets for intl work have been cut IAAs largely funding scientists and technical experts to work internationally University partnerships, therefore, a bit higher Navy Medical Research Center Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Geological Survey Emory University Center for Public Health Preparedness and Response Johns Hopkins University Program for International Development The National Academies

areas of assistance Biosafety & Biosecurity Projects Risk assessments, safety and security consultation, design and implementation, pathogen surveys, support for creation of national and regional biosafety associations Training in Best Practices Biosafety, biosecurity, lab management, bioethics Molecular Diagnostics & Surveillance Lab and human capacity building, research collaboration, integrated disease surveillance Other Areas Drafting legislation, national guidelines, S&T collaboration, forensic epidemiology and first responder preparedness Comprehensive Engagement: Training: Biosafety and biosecurity awareness raising and BSS association development Capacity Building: physical lab inputs, molecular diagnostics, pathogen consolidation Tech Assistance: Support for diagnostics, disease surveillance, response capability R&D: Vaccine production

value of local input Critical importance of local expertise and insight Opportunities: Identification of needs and gaps Risk Assessments Program implementation Logistical support Program monitoring and evaluation Challenges: Limited funding - prioritization key Sustainability Culture of Responsibility Working through African Science Academy partners for local insight Engaging locally

sub-saharan africa Institutional Capacity Building Efforts Biosafety/Biosecurity workshop held through Ugandan National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) UNAS “Good Laboratory Practices” workshop planned for January 2009 Support for development of the African Biosafety/Biosecurity Association (Af-BSA) WHO-led biosafety/biosecurity awareness raising meetings Dual Anglophone and Francophone workshops held Success story of UNAS work – sustainability and progression of programming Initial BSS workshop through Gates Foundation funding WHO concept to develop a AfBSA Support to Kenya Medical Research Institute for Af-BSA development and capacity building Af-BSA has ____ member countries All of these initiatives are dependent upon local insight and experience

sub-saharan africa Technical Support Viral diagnostics workshop in Senegal Assistance for laboratory strengthening in South Africa; ‘sister lab’ relationship Planned technical support for BSL-3 construction in Nigeria Global Disease Detection & Response Center – Kenya – to develop biosafety/biosecurity capacity through support for trainings and equipment BSL-3 Nigeria: Via NIAID to National TB and Leprosy Training Center – initial stages National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa GDD: 1 of 6 labs globally; support will enable Kenyan GDD to engage in full spectrum of BSS activities

north africa Enhancing disease detection and control Technical assistance for safer lab construction Biosafety/biosecurity workshops First survey to assess capacity and identify needs in Yemen Yemeni researcher Public health surveillance initiatives in Djibouti planned FY 09 through NAMRU 3 Working through NAMRU-3 in Cairo for technical assistance provision Safer lab construction work in Egypt BSS workshops in Morocco and Egypt (Moroccan National Institute of Hygiene) Yemen survey was at request of Yemeni govt to determine broad capabilities and pathogen collections in country Photo of lab is Egypt Central Public Health Laboratory in Cairo Contaminated cow carcass awaiting necropsy Laboratory facility under construction

conclusion Dual-use science… Dual-benefit assistance Scientific engagement will reduce threat; build collaborations Strengthen international security and global health Challenges: evolving threat, limited funding Exploring partnership opportunities in Africa BEP Support: Linking academies to public health stakeholders that require technical assistance Research and Development collaborations Trainings and capacity building opportunities

contact information www.BEPstate.net Dan Schar, VMD Biosecurity Engagement Program Africa Regional Coordinator U.S. Department of State ScharDL@state.gov