Assessing Readiness of International Investigations into Alleged Biological Weapons Use

Abstract

Without clarity if an outbreak is natural, accidental, or deliberate, infectious disease outbreaks of unknown or ambiguous origin can lead to speculation of a purposeful biological attack. Outbreaks in conflict settings are particularly prone to suspicions and allegations. In an increasingly confrontative global geopolitical landscape and with active information manipulation, outbreaks of ambiguous origin are likely to increase concerns of the deliberate use of biological agents. The United Nations General Assembly has agreed on and the United Nations Security Council has endorsed a mechanism to investigate allegations of deliberate use titled the United Nations Secretary-General's Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical or Biological Weapons. A recent full-scale field exercise evaluated the deployment readiness of the mechanism and found it is well placed to investigate suspicious disease outbreaks, with room for continual improvement.

Keywords: Outbreak investigation; UNSGM; biological weapons; bioterrorism and preparedness; public health; secretary-general; united nations.

Figure 1

Environmental sampling of a mission team member during the 2020 and 2022 capstone exercises to strengthen international investigations of alleged biological weapons use. Photograph taken by Bernd Bruckmoser.

Figure 2

Design of the exercise scenario and learnings and recommendations deduced from the 2020 and 2022 capstone exercises to strengthen international investigations of alleged biological weapons use. UN, United Nations.