News

How to recognize and respond to Biological Threats?

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Biological threats differ from chemical attacks as their effects often manifest after a delay, depending on the pathogen’s incubation period.
Early detection is critical, as timely recognition by healthcare professionals can significantly reduce the health impacts of an attack.

Initially, diseases caused by a biological attack may resemble common illnesses like influenza. However, specific indicators can suggest an intentional event:
·        Unusual Number of Cases: A sudden increase in cases of rare or unexpected diseases, which deviates from historical patterns or normal incidence rates.
·        Unexpected Geographic Spread: Cases emerging in unlikely areas or rapidly spreading to multiple locations.
·        Atypical Symptoms: Symptoms that are unusually severe or do not align with typical disease characteristics.
·        Rapid Case Increase: A significant spike in cases over a short period.
·        Association with Specific Events or Locations: Cases linked to mass gatherings, confined spaces, or specific geographic areas.
·        Presence of Multiple Pathogens: Uncommon combinations of pathogens suggest a possible deliberate release.

These new guidelines are set to improve awareness and management strategies regarding transmission risks, with full details available soon in the document “D.3.3 Guidelines for epidemiological enquiry”

The guideline concerns food protection developed by (UniLodz) Uniwersytet Łódzki, National Institute of Aerospace Technology, Polícia de Segurança Pública, Polaris (DoubleTree by Hilton), Centrum Konferencyjno-Szkoleniowe Hotel Boss***, Atiram Hotels, Center for Security Studies (KEMEA)

Photo: Adobe Stock

New Guidelines on – Transmission Routes and Entry Points for Infectious Agents

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How can transmission occur❓

Transmission can occur through one or more of the following channels:
– Airborne: Transmission via inhaling aerosol particles emitted by an infected person while coughing, talking, singing, or through general atmospheric dispersal of microbial aerosols.
– Contact: This includes both direct contact with infected persons or animals and indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.
– Vertical: Transmission from mother to child, typically in utero or through bodily fluids exchanged during childbirth.
– Vector Transmission: Spread through insect bites, such as those from infected mosquitoes, ticks, or mites.
– Foodborne and/or Waterborne: Consumption of contaminated food or water, which may introduce infectious agents.

Routes of Entry into the Human Body 🚺
According to CDC guidelines, infectious agents can enter the human body through several primary routes:
– Cutaneous and associated mucous membranes
– Digestive mucosal route
– Eye and Conjunctival route
– Urogenital route
– Respiratory route
– Parenteral route

These new guidelines are set to improve awareness and management strategies regarding transmission risks, with full details available soon in the document “D.3.3 Guidelines for epidemiological enquiry”.

The guideline concerns food protection developed by (UniLodz) Uniwersytet Łódzki, National Institute of Aerospace Technology, Polícia de Segurança Pública, Polaris (DoubleTree by Hilton), Hotel Boss Warszawa, Atiram Hotels, Center for Security Studies (KEMEA).

Photo: Adobe Stock

HOTHREAT project consortium work in progress

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The 3rd HOTHREAT Consortium Meeting is in progress at the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) in Athens, Greece.

Project partners are actively discussing the project’s advancements and planning for upcoming CBRNe trainings and exercises.

New guideline for cleaning services

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Under the HOTHREAT another guideline for cleaning services was developed!

Why CBRN protection at hotels, leisure and conference facilities is significant❓
👉 Cause the main goal of the hotel industry is to protect and care for guests throughout their entire stay. This important aspect of business operations carries the responsibility for ensuring safety not only in a general sense but also in terms of sanitary and epidemiological conditions, to guarantee the comfort and well-being of guests.

Why do cleaning services play a big role in this area❓
👉 Conducting basic sanitary procedures aimed at maintaining cleanliness in hotels is a key element in both preventing the spread of diseases and effectively combating viruses and bacteria when such threats arise.

The guideline concerns food protection developed by (UniLodz) Uniwersytet Łódzki, National Institute of Aerospace Technology, Polícia de Segurança Pública, Polaris (DoubleTree by Hilton), Hotel Boss, Atiram Hotels, Center for Security Studies (KEMEA).

More information available in the document ,,D.3.5 Protection guideline for cleaning services” in the near future.

Photo: Adobe Stock

New guideline about food protection

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Under the HOTHREAT project, another guideline about food protection was developed!

Why food protection topics are significant ❓
–         due to expansion and development of food supply chain, diversity of food and food related products, free trade food market, cross border food trading, problems related with global unemployment, human migration and globalization of world economy.

What pathogens are causing the most food incidents ❓
a)   Caused by the biological contamination:
Norovirus, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus and Listeria.

b)   Caused by the chemical agents:
aflatoxin, dioxin, cyanide and peanut allergen

The guideline concerns food protection developed by (UniLodz) Uniwersytet Łódzki, National Institute of Aerospace Technology, Polícia de Segurança Pública, Polaris (DoubleTree by Hilton), Hotel Boss, Atiram Hotels, Center for Security Studies (KEMEA).

More information available in the document ,,D.3.2 Food protection guidelines” in the near future.

Photo: Adobe Stock

HOTHREAT at SECURITY FORUM

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MOSSOS D`ESQUADRA promoted HOTHREAT at SECURITY FORUM in June

MOSSOS D`ESQUADRA took part in the conference presenting 👉 “The participation of the Mossos d’Esquadra in European Projects”

The forum typically features a mix of exhibitions, presentations, and panel discussions, providing a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and showcasing the latest innovations and solutions in security technology and practices.

 

HOTHREAT – Tailored CBRNe protection measures for hotels and conference centers.

CBRN EuropeanCommission ISF InternalSecurityFund

HOTHREAT at #UNVEX’24

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In June Hothreat participated in the event UNVEX’24

This event focused on unmaned systems and technologies, which brings professionals, companies and stakeholders from various sectros (defense, security and civil applications). Helds exhibitions, conferences and workshops, networking opportunities, live demonstrations.

 

See you next time!

 

HOTHREAT – Tailored CBRNe protection measures for hotels and conference centers.

security CBRN EuropeanCommission ISF InternalSecurityFund

 

 

 

Training for Polish State Fire Service in Spała, Poland

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We keep training all the time!

Training was conducted on 17-19th June in Spała, Poland for Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service of Łódź (Komenda Miejska Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Łodzi) and Municipal Headquarters of the State Fire Service of Piotrków Trybunalski on:

☣ CBRN threats
☣ detection and identification techniques,
☣ operating in contaminated areas – specifically in hotels and conference centers
☣ cooperation with hotels on notification, evacuation, pre-decontamination, organization of evacuation and decontamination points.

 

 

Workshop on the Analysis of end users’ needs

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Uniwersytet Łódzki (UniLodz) as a project coordinator on 6th of February 2024 organized project organizational meeting (The Biohazard Prevention Centre team: Maksymilian Stela, Michał Bijak, Karolina Tomczyk) and on 7th of February 2024 International Security and Emergency Management Institute (ISEM Institute) in cooperation with University of Lodz, Atiram Hotels and with support of all HOTHREAT project consortium partners organized WP2 Workshop „Analysis of end users’ needs, best/good practices and relevant EU funded projects“ in Oriente Atiram Hotel in Barcelona.

Main WP2 Workshop objectives were to:
–         recognize synergies among HOTREAT and other EU Projects,
–         present outcomes from Desk research, Survey Research and Inspection visits,
–         present outcomes of Analysis of existing practices in EU projects, international and national regulations,
–         deliver final identification of gaps, needs, recommendations and good/best practices,
–         discuss and present initial consideration for implementation of other WPs (WP3, WP4 and WP5) after analyses.

WP2 implementation started immediatelly after the consortium Kick-off meeting in the middle of July 2023. ISEMI as WP2 leader developed Methodology and tools with the aim to establish rules and guidance for how to implement all WP2 activities, that required involvement of all consortium partners especially Center for Security Studies (KEMEA), University of Lodz and Safety Core and also end-users Hotel Boss, Double Three Hilton and University of Lodz Hotel and Conference Centre from Poland, Atiram Hotels from Spain and Aphrodite Hills Resort Ltd from Cyprus as representatives of hotels and conference centres.

Desk research, Survey Research, Inspection visits and Analyses of existing EU Projects outcomes presented during WP2 Workshop identified existing gaps, needs, recommendations and good/best practices that introduced the real picture that is necessary to implement in WP3, WP4 and WP5 in area of development of procedures, technical solutions and training to strenghten safety and security of endusers against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Threats.

At the end of the WP2 Workshop ISEMI representatives Lubos Trudic and Cameron Mann thanked all consortium partners for their work, effort and support in implementation of WP2 activities and tasks. Final reports from WP2 will be finalized at the end of February 2024.

#security #CBRN #EuropeanCommission #ISF #InternalSecurityFund
#HOTHREAT

Inspection visits for safety improvements

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Over the six months of the HOTHREAT project, we have already conducted 6 inspection visits for safety improvements!

The visits were carried out by our experts and were aiming at:

  • find effective solutions (best practices) that enhance the effectiveness of deterrence, prevention, detection, and response to CBRNe threats,
  • identify gaps in the security system and the resulting needs,
  • identify vulnerable points susceptible to potential attacks,
  • gather necessary data to develop appropriate recommendations.

Our experts have paid special attention to, among other things:

  • interviewing the employees responsible for the management and security of the facility during its daily operation and conferences,
  • checking the structure of the hotel in terms of its vulnerability to CBRN threats,
  • analysis of the location of security services and their skills in case of CBRN incidents,
  • overall assessment of the security and safety system,
  • analysis of the security structure and its efficiency in terms of their effectiveness in CBRN incidents response,
  • identification of possible threats.

The visits were conducted in hotels and training centers in Warsaw, Lodz (Poland), Barcelona, Valecia (Spain), Kouklia (Cyprus) in the facilities of the project partners: BOSS Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Warsaw, University of Lodz Training and Conference Center, Atiram Hotels Barcelona and Dimar Hotel,

 

 

The first Kick Off meeting

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The HOTHREAT project was established in June 2023. On July 12-13, the first Kick Off meeting was held at the Boss Hotel, which is one of the project’s partners.

The project HOTHREAT (Tailored CBRNe protection measures for hotels and conference centres) aims to reduce risks related to possible terrorist attack targeted at hotels and conference spaces with the use of Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear agents (CBRN).

The project consortium consisting of 18 partners from 8 EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Greece, Romania, Cyprus, Italy and Portugal) and leaded by the University of Lodz could be divided into three groups:

  • Research, expertise, technology (University of Lodz, Dynamic Safety Corporation, Safety Core, International Security and Emergency Management Institute, National Institute of Aerospace Technology, Center for Security Studies, Konngruent, Sigoria Security Solutions, Center for Social Innovation and Fundazione SAFE-EUROPE);
  • Hotels and conference centre sector (Polaris Hospitality Enterprises, ATIRAM Hotels, Aphrodite Hills Resort, Hotel Boss, Nicosia Tourist Board and University of Lodz);
  • Law enforcement agencies (Police from Portugal, Greece and Poland).

The Kick Off meeting was opened by the Project Coordinator, dr hab. Michał Bijak, prof. of UL,. who described aims and goals of the project and synergies between other projects conducted by Biohazard Prevention Centre at University of Lodz.

The importance of the very first technical step of the project – identification of gaps and end-users needs was underlined.