CRDF Global, U.S. Department of State and Louisiana State University promote biosecurity through cross-sector engagement in Indonesia

CRDF Global, in association with the US Department of State Biosecurity Engagement Program and the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training at LSU, hosted the “Multisector Coordination to Prevent, Detect, and Mitigate Biological Threats” workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia from March 14th-18th.  The workshop focused on training 24 Indonesian emergency response and scientific professionals in effective ways of dealing with several types of biological incidents. Topics included preparedness for food and animal related incidents, community responses, detection and surveillance systems, crime scene forensics, and table top exercises to put the knowledge gained into practice.
Participants in the workshop included experienced officials and practitioners who are most directly involved in the investigation and response to outbreaks of biological threat agents, including laboratory personnel responsible for disease diagnostics, as well as law enforcement and security personnel who would be called upon to investigate the intentional use of a biological agent. This training aimed at helping Indonesia develop coordinated response efforts between academic institutions, law enforcement, and government entities in the event of a biological incident.
The integration of multiple sectors of response teams has shown in the past to be the most effective and responsible way of dealing with the possibility of a biological incident. The knowledge gained through this workshop will help participants to continue building open lines of communication across sectors and implement sophisticated training methods, helping Indonesia as a whole to increase their capacity in dealing with these deadly threats.