Biosafety risk assessment based on the perspective of public health

ObjectiveTo assess the biosafety risk from a public health perspective and provide scientific evidence for centers for disease control and prevention to formulate diversified strategies and well-organized resource allocation.

MethodsBased on the global summary of pathogenic microorganism which might be used against human beings intentionally， we performed a multi-round consultation to the expert team with a scientific background and professional qualification， using a Delphi method. According to the consultation and reliability test， a consistent evaluation was conducted from seven dimensions， including fatality rate， implementation of biosafety-related events， short-term probability， long-term probability， difficulty of rescue， early detection， and response capacity of the public health system.

ResultsThe overall opinions of the experts tended to be consistent. Bacillus anthracis had been scored the highest in the comprehensive biosafety risk， which was much higher than the second （botulinum toxin） and third places （Yersinia pestis）， raising a significant public health concern. In addition， multiple hemorrhagic fever viruses had a higher biosafety risk.

ConclusionsBased on the perspective of public health， the biosafety risk can be evaluated reasonably. Pathogenic microorganisms with zoonotic characteristics and long incubation periods are more difficult to detect in advance in the environment， posing a higher risk. The formulation of disease control and prevention strategies in public health resource-limited areas warrants particular attention to high-risk biosafety events.