CROSS-CUTTING AREAS Biosafety and biosecurity: The invisible backbone of One Health One Health recognises the intricate interconnectivity of human, animal and ecosystem health. Pathogens are oblivious to disciplinary or legislative boundaries: emergent risks affecting one sector can rapidly augment and affect others. Biosafety and biosecurity – collectively referred to as biorisk – play a crucial role within this complex system. Through biorisk management (BRM) systems, work can be conducted safely to better understand, monitor and respond to biological risks, without the work itself becoming a source of harm. Far from being limited to laboratories, biosafety and biosecurity are cross-cutting capacities that enable safe collaboration and effective prevention across the entire One Health landscape. Biosafety refers to the principles, practices and containment measures designed to prevent unintentional exposure to biological agents or their accidental release into the environment, whereas biosecurity is focused on the prevention of loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of biological materials. These complementary concepts form a comprehensive system of safeguards that protects workers, communities and ecosystems in support of responsible scientific and public health activities. In the context of One Health, BRM extends well beyond traditional laboratory settings, underpinning multisectoral activities including public health, veterinary services, environmental monitoring, food safety and research. Given the nature of working with biological materials or investigating disease risks at the human-animal-environment interface, maintaining strong biosafety and biosecurity practices is paramount for ensuring safe, effective collaboration across disciplines. This cross-cutting role is particularly evident in zoonotic disease surveillance and response, where many emerging infectious diseases originate in animals before spilling over into human populations. Investigating these threats often involves field sampling, laboratory diagnostics, wildlife monitoring and veterinary interventions. By Anastasia Trataris-Rebisz of Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service Each step requires appropriate biosafety procedures to protect personnel and prevent accidental transmission. At the same time, biosecurity measures ensure that pathogens and sensitive biological materials are securely handled and accounted for, reducing the risk of deliberate misuse or diversion for nefarious purposes. Similarly, BRM is essential in mitigating the risks associated with neglected tropical diseases and vector-borne diseases. Field teams conducting vector surveillance or environmental assessments are required to make use of mitigation strategies such as wearing protective equipment and following clear safety protocols to manage the risk of exposure while sampling. Food systems also rely on strong BRM practices for the safe production, processing and inspection of food products to prevent unintentional contamination that may lead to widespread outbreaks of foodborne illness. Effective biosecurity measures reduce the risk of biological hazards being introduced into the food system to deliberately spread disease and/or sabotage a food producer. Antimicrobial resistance is yet another critical area where biosafety and biosecurity intersect with One Health. Laboratories studying resistant organisms are required to operate under stringent biosafety conditions to prevent accidental exposure or environmental release. Responsible antimicrobial stewardship across human health, veterinary medicine and agriculture requires coordinated oversight and the secure management of biological samples and data. Environmental health considerations highlight the value of BRM, as improper management of laboratory waste can create conditions that facilitate the emergence and/or persistence of disease threats. The cross-cutting nature of biosafety and biosecurity reflects a broader shift in how health risks are understood and managed. Rather than responding only after an outbreak occurs, the One Health approach emphasises prevention at source. 19
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