Tasks of CBB’s biopreparedness organisation
On-going activities
Analysis
Coordination of relevant preparedness activities within research and development, including threat assessments of scientific, technical, and general character. The assessments are an integral part of the CBB's modelling capability used in relation to the on-going preparedness activities, and as a prognostic tool in relation to operational decision support.
24-hour preparedness teams
CBB’s responsibility is to ensure a 24-hour preparedness capability including rapidly deployable field investigative teams, to conduct training and education with other agencies (Police, The Emergency Management Agency’s Department of Chemical Operations, HazMat teams, the Danish armed forces etc.), to develop and maintain concepts of operations under different circumstances, and to maintain the necessary equipment. At the operational level an important element is the expertise in dispersal analysis.
The CBB preparedness organisation is based on on-call personnel with specialized training. The tasks of the Field Investigation Teams are to collect information, collect samples, to conduct rapid laboratory analysis, and to provide expert advice in order to identify biological warfare agents, to verify the hazardous area, and advice on immediate actions to be taken including possible countermeasures. Furthermore, foreign specialist laboratories with BSL 4-facilities are included in the 24-hour preparedness capability.
Operational activities
When a biological terror incident is suspected the senior manager on duty conducts an intelligence-based threat assessment as a basis for the possible investigation to follow and a crisis staff is immediately convened.
The investigation makes use of a number of tools which can be both internal capabilities at CBB or SSI, and external capabilities, including domestic and foreign authorities and agencies.
CBB reports all investigation results and conclusions to the Police. The report contains an overall conclusion of the investigation and provides relevant expert advice.
A full investigation can include the following elements:
- Medical intelligence. CBB collects relevant information to analyze the incident; partly from the Centre's own sources, and partly from other national authorities.
- Clinical picture. CBB obtains information about potential illness in connection with the incident – presentation of symptoms, course of disease, and paraclinical results.
- Epidemiological situation. In connection with a possible disease outbreak, CBB collects information about the epidemiological situation, for example, from the local health inspectors, or via an epidemiological field investigation carried out in collaboration with experts from the Department of Epidemiology at SSI.
- Sampling. Collection of samples from the environment, or, if possible, from clinical material from animals and humans. CBB’s Field Investigation Team collaborates with DEMA chemical experts and HazMat teams on both sampling and subsequent analysis of unknown substances.
- Laboratory Analysis. Laboratory analysis takes place at CBB’s laboratory facilities, which are manned by a 24 hour duty officer or at DEMA laboratories in case of unknow substances. If necessary, CBB can also draw on external specialist laboratories with BSL 4-facilities..
- Dispersal Analysis. CBB simulates the potentially contaminated area, and identifies potentially exposed individuals by computer-based dispersal analysis. A graphical representation (a map) of the contaminated area is transmitted to other agencies immediately.
- Diagnosis. CBB collects all information and analysis results in an overall report that seeks to identify the cause of the incident and provide a prognosis for further progression (consequences, dangerousness, etc.).
- Countermeasures. If necessary, the report includes recommendations for countermeasures, both medical (e.g. medical treatment or preventive vaccination), and physical (e.g., personal protective equipment, cordons, and decontamination). Implementation of these measures is the responsibility of the Danish Patients Safety Authority and is coordinated with the Police.
- Information. If necessary, the report from CBB will include draft information for the press, potentially exposed persons or others, and, if necessary, CBB assists by informing other authorities.