Abstract
This special issue focuses on global biorisk management and showcases examples of innovative approaches, creative solutions, and best practices developed and used around the world for managing risks associated with the handling, use, and storage of infectious biological agents, toxins, and potentially infectious materials in research and clinical settings. The unique collection of articles selected for this special issue highlights a variety of biosafety program management approaches implemented across four different continents, including some resource-constrained locations.
Creative approaches to communicating biosafety program activities and outcomes to obtain necessary stakeholder and leadership support are described by Emery (page 74). Implementing and assessing biorisk management systems are described in articles by Danelyan (page 80) and Naroeni (page 92). Ghosh highlights an effective team-based approach to improve the safety culture among employees in an animal care and use facility on page 101. Targeted training for shipping biological agents to enhance compliance with IATA dangerous good shipping regulations is described by Qasmi (page 119). Lange (page 130) highlights the importance of understanding prompt and appropriate postexposure response and care for percutaneous injury incidents involving Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk. Effective risk communication was assessed by Zhang through a survey of community members living in the vicinity of a highcontainment facility working with a variety of agricultural pathogens (page 138).
Given that infectious diseases do not respect politically defined borders, national and optimally transnational biosafety and biosecurity efforts are essential. It is encouraging that biorisk management programs have been developed that include careful consideration for ensuring effective implementation and long-term sustainability. Elements of these programs may be adaptable to strengthen nascent and developing biosafety and biosecurity programs elsewhere. There is much to learn from biosafety professionals around the world, and we are pleased to present articles that share methods to address our shared biosafety program challenges.