Abstract
In 2013, the German Federal Foreign Office launched the German Biosecurity Programme with the aim to minimise risks associated with biological substances and pathogens. In this context, the German-Kazakh Network for Biosafety and Biosecurity was established in 2013 and constitutes a successful collaboration between Kazakh and German biomedical organisations, under the co-management of the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Ever since then, a network of scientists, stake holders and policymakers has been established, aiming to work on highly pathogenic, potential biological warfare agents with the focus on biosafety and biosecurity, surveillance, detection and diagnostics, networking and awareness raising of these agents in Kazakhstan. Over the past 8 years, the project members trained four PhD candidates, organised over 30 workshops and trainings with more than 250 participants and conducted more than 5,000 PCR assays and 5,000 serological analyses for surveillance. A great success was the description of new endemic areas for Orthohantaviruses, the mixture of two Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus genetic clusters, new foci and genetic information on tick-borne encephalitis virus and rickettsiae in Kazakh oblasts. The latter even led to the description of two new genogroups. Furthermore, joint contributions to international conferences were made. In this report, we summarise the evolution of the German-Kazakh Network for Biosafety and Biosecurity and critically reflect on the strengths and possible weaknesses. We were able to establish a viable network of biosafety and biosecurity shareholders and to accomplish the aims of the German Biosecurity Programme to lower biosecurity risks by increased awareness, improved detection and diagnostic methods and surveillance. Further, we reflect on forthcoming aspects to lead this interstate endeavour into a sustainable future.
Highlights
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia dominated by continental climate
As part of the programme, an exchange on the importance to share scientific insights on extremely dangerous pathogens (EDP) with the international community was arranged with policy makers at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, in order to enable a bioforensic characterisation that would help to localise the source of future potential illegal use of EDPs. Regular meetings with the former Committee of Quality control of Goods and Services of the Ministry of Health (2013–2019) were used to inform the committee members about the progress of the project and about scientific findings like raising awareness on possible new endemic areas of EDPs and on legislation in work safety including biosafety and biosecurity. Another key ambition was to raise awareness of the health risks related to some nonendemic pathogens that may migrate to Kazakhstan through birds or enhanced trade resulting from the China’s Belt and Road Initiative which could lead to diseases among the residents
The aim of this study is to investigate the Orthohantavirus diversity in rodents in three areas: in West Kazakhstan, Almaty Oblast and Almaty city
Summary
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia dominated by continental climate. Regular meetings with the former Committee of Quality control of Goods and Services of the Ministry of Health (2013–2019) were used to inform the committee members about the progress of the project and about scientific findings like raising awareness on possible new endemic areas of EDPs and on legislation in work safety including biosafety and biosecurity Another key ambition was to raise awareness of the health risks related to some nonendemic pathogens that may migrate to Kazakhstan through birds or enhanced trade resulting from the China’s Belt and Road Initiative which could lead to diseases among the residents. To ensure an efficient sharing of methods and protocols, and to offer a low-key scientist interaction, the GerKazNet
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