If, in a worst-case scenario, an explosion occurred at a private radiopharmaceutical facility in the WHO European Region, accidentally releasing radioactive Iodine-131, what information would WHO/Europe need to assess the hazards, communicate risk, and prepare the emergency response? How should Member States’ health authorities respond, coordinate internally, and communicate?
That was the scenario put to more than 150 individuals from 43 States (26 from European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries) who participated in the 2023 Joint Assessment and Detection of Events (JADE). The simulation exercise provided a safe learning environment in which participants could assess whether the hazards presented to them should prompt them to notify WHO of a potential public health emergency of international concern. It enabled national focal points (NFPs) to review their communication channels and the way they collaborate with relevant stakeholders and to practice operational communication with the WHO Regional Contact Point (RCP).
“The JADE exercise is a valuable tool for NFPs to practice their obligations under the International Health Regulations,” said Nicolas Isla, JADE Exercise Director at WHO/Europe. “In addition, by identifying any gaps in their radionuclear response plans and procedures and testing their communication and collaboration channels with the relevant radiation safety authorities, countries can gain crucial insights into how to strengthen preparedness for and response to health emergencies under the International Health Regulations.”
Reporting health crises promptly
The International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) is a legally binding agreement that requires countries to report potential public health crises, including those with biological, chemical, and radionuclear origin. NFPs are responsible for notifying WHO of any relevant health incidents and responding immediately to requests for information from the WHO RCP. Some recent examples of notifications from NFPs include cases of botulism in France, legionellosis in Poland, and influenza A(H1N1) in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
At JADE 2023, WHO/Europe worked in close collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to use the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). This is the system that is routinely used in EU/EEA countries to report health crises promptly to the European Commission and WHO.
Risk communication channels
During the exercise, NFPs demonstrated their efficiency by coordinating quickly with experts specializing in radiation safety, the environment, civil protection, and food safety. They also paid critical attention to risk communication, so vital in times of crisis. The exercise highlighted the well-established communication channels under the IHR in most countries in the Region.
“The JADE exercise was useful as it allowed us to re-evaluate our response strategies, collaborate with colleagues, and manage internal procedures more efficiently,” said the National IHR Focal Point for Portugal.