The explosion at Vector: hoping for the best while preparing for the worst

Authors

  • C Raina MacIntyre University of New South Wales
  • Con Doolan University of New South Wales
  • Charitha De SIlva University of New South Wales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.41

Keywords:

Vector, BSL4, laboratory, Russia, Siberia, Koltsovo, smallpox, variola, Ebola, Explosion

Abstract

This commentary reviews the implications of the gas explosion at the Russian State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology building (Vector) on September 16th 2019. Public health and engineering perspectives are provided on the implications of the explosion causing a physical breach of the building, and the potential for dispersion of pathogens in the surrounding area. A global public health and risk analysis perspective is taken in discussing preparedness planning around this event.

Author Biographies

C Raina MacIntyre, University of New South Wales

Professor Raina MacIntyre is Professor of Global Biosecurity at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. As Head of the Biosecurity Program, she leads research in epidemiology, vaccinology, bioterrorism prevention, mathematical modelling, public health and clinical trials in infectious diseases. Her research includes personal protective equipment, vaccinology, epidemics of emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism prevention. She is an expert in influenza epidemiology, adult vaccination, bioterrorism and rapid epidemic intelligence and has led the largest body of research internationally on face masks and respirators in health care workers. She has a 20 year track record in public health control of infectious diseases including vaccinology, surveillance and program design. She has over 350 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Her research is underpinned by extensive field outbreak investigation experience. She is a graduate of the Australian Field Epidemiology Training program and has extensive experience in shoe-leather epidemiology of infectious diseases outbreaks. Her in-depth understanding of the science of outbreak investigation draws from this experience combined with her clinical training as a specialist physician and her academic training through a Masters and PhD in Epidemiology. Her passion for field epidemiology led her to co-found the ARM network for Australian field outbreak response. She also has an interest in the ethics of medicine, and specifically in dual-use research of concern in the fields of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, and the risk this poses to biosecurity.

Con Doolan, University of New South Wales

Professor Con Doolan is based in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. He has research interests and expertise in the following areas: Aeroacoustics and flow induced noise: understanding and controlling noise generated by fluid flow (aircraft, wind turbines, submarines, fans, ventilation ducts, automobiles, trains, valves, etc) Fluid mechanics: understanding the physics of fluid flow and applying this knowledge to practical problems in industry Acoustics and noise control: general acoustics, acoustic beamforming, time reversal Wind tunnel testing: aerodynamic measurement, flow measurements and visulalisation, anechoic/aeroacoustic testing Aerospace engineering

Charitha De SIlva, University of New South Wales

Dr Charitha de Silva is a lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales. His particular areas of research expertise are in wall-bounded flows, turbulent structure, microfluidics/biofluids and advanced flow diagnostics (particle image velocimetry). He is a new member of the Aerodynamics and Advanced Thermofluids Research groups in the School and currently works closely with Prof Con Doolan and Dr Danielle Moreau who are experts in fluid dynamics and aeroacoustics and Prof. Tracie Barber who is an expert in vascular fluid dynamics. Research Interests Turbulent flows: understanding the physics of fluid flow Advanced flow diagnostics Flow control Microfluidics / Lab-on-chip devices / Biofluids

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Published

2019-09-20

How to Cite

MacIntyre, C. R., Doolan, C., & De SIlva, C. (2019). The explosion at Vector: hoping for the best while preparing for the worst . Global Biosecurity, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.41

Issue

Vol. 1 (2019)

Section

Editorials and Commentaries

License

Copyright (c) 2019 The Author(s)

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Received 2019-09-19
Accepted 2019-09-19
Published 2019-09-20