A 'biothreats radar' set up to detect new pandemic and bioterror alerts facing the UK

The government announced the radar as part of its biosecurity strategy to provide early warning of biological threats - natural or otherwise - facing Britain faces
Government launches UK Biosecurity Strategy (
Image: Getty Images)

A 'bio-threat radar' will be set up to defend Britain against pandemics and bio-terrorism attacks, the government announced today.

The 'radar' will help protect the UK against infectious disease outbreaks, the growing risk of antimicrobial resistance and biological incidents, according to the Cabinet Office.

Launched as part of the Biosecurity Strategy, it will be led by the National Situation Center and will bring together data from across Whitehall, various advisory boards and experts in disease outbreaks and bioterrorism.
The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how essential it is to have a coherent plan to both protect the UK against the increasingly complex range of biohazards and build on the UK's strengths in vaccine research and development and life sciences.

“The new biosafety strategy will make an important contribution to our preparedness.”

Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean (
Picture:
PENNSYLVANIA)
Experts are increasingly concerned about threats from the animal kingdom that could spread to humans, as well as growing resistance to antibiotics, making diseases harder to treat.

There is also growing concern about attempts by some states to develop and manufacture biological weapons that could be deployed on battlefields or among the general public.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: 'Covid has been the greatest challenge in peacetime for a century and we must be diligent in preparing for future threats of this magnitude.

“This plan and our investment of £1.5 billion a year puts us in a strong position to defeat the biological threats of tomorrow, from disease to biological weapons and antimicrobial resistance.

Politics Jun 12, 2023 0 26 Add to Reading List

A 'biothreats radar' set up to detect new pandemic and bioterror alerts facing the UK

The government announced the radar as part of its biosecurity strategy to provide early warning of biological threats - natural or otherwise - facing Britain faces

The Government launches UK biosafety strategy

Government launches UK Biosecurity Strategy (

Image: Getty Images)

A 'bio-threat radar' will be set up to defend Britain against pandemics and bio-terrorism attacks, the government announced today.

The 'radar' will help protect the UK against infectious disease outbreaks, the growing risk of antimicrobial resistance and biological incidents, according to the Cabinet Office.

Launched as part of the Biosecurity Strategy, it will be led by the National Situation Center and will bring together data from across Whitehall, various advisory boards and experts in disease outbreaks and bioterrorism.

The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has shown how essential it is to have a coherent plan to both protect the UK against the increasingly complex range of biohazards and build on the UK's strengths in vaccine research and development and life sciences.

“The new biosafety strategy will make an important contribution to our preparedness.”

Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

Experts are increasingly concerned about threats from the animal kingdom that could spread to humans, as well as growing resistance to antibiotics, making diseases harder to treat.

There is also growing concern about attempts by some states to develop and manufacture biological weapons that could be deployed on battlefields or among the general public.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: 'Covid has been the greatest challenge in peacetime for a century and we must be diligent in preparing for future threats of this magnitude.

“This plan and our investment of £1.5 billion a year puts us in a strong position to defeat the biological threats of tomorrow, from disease to biological weapons and antimicrobial resistance.