Brief thought on the two key elements “Hazard and Risk” in preventing and controlling infections that are routinely confused
AHMAD ALHUSIENI ALSHEHRI
Thought Leadership I Infection Prevention and Control Technologies I Public Polices & Private Markets I Partnering in One Health
It is important to identify what? may cause potential harm or damage or even adverse health effects on human, animal and environment (termed Hazards) and to make a decision on how that hazard could harm and how chance or probability of its occurring (termed the risk). ?
The two terms go hand on hand but they are not synonymous meaning that hazard can be low and risk can be high and vice versa. For example, Salmonellae is a microbial hazard that is known to occur in raw milk and could cause food poisoning. The risk of getting sick from milk is low if it is bought from supermarket. This is because the milk has gone through some level of pasteurisation before selling according to enforcement of local food safety police and regulation.
Managing pathogens by considering thinking and feeling worried about hazards which is part of human nature while ignoring understanding and assessing the risks is not a practical solution nowadays. In addition, such misperception is considered an unacceptable approach to overcome efficiently a complex health challenges.
Although exact circumstances of SARS-CoV-2 origin that caused COVID-19 remain obscure; the Wet market in Wuhan, China was most likely the place where SARS-CoV-2 (virus hazard) started spreading among people who sold different live animal which held close together (risk) and customers who shopped there.
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In this context, we appreciated scientists efforts toward rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of respiratory infection in Wuhan and this is a crucial step in risk assessment. Having said that, focusing our attention to hazard mean we should try controlling virus spread via replacing or elimination with something less hazardous as possible which impossible to achieve it in wet markets.
Emerging and re-emerging infections threaten all countries and it is crucial for more shifting of thinking and efforts away from focusing on hazard toward risk assessment. If such mindset is adapted, solution that based on modifying or designing the area of wet market in a way that limit exposure to hazard is applicable. Also, controlling the level of risk through enhancing behavioural means can be introduced. ?For example, training that involve engaging people with what are incentives of changing their behavior. In this sense, training should goes with local culture to assist mindset changes of people for efficient intervention.
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5 个月To ensure safety and mitigate potential harm, it's crucial to: 1. Identify Hazards: Recognize factors that could cause harm or damage to humans, animals, or the environment. 2. Assess Risk: Evaluate how these hazards could cause harm and determine the likelihood or probability of their occurrence. 3. Decision-Making: Based on the assessment, make informed decisions to manage or mitigate the identified risks effectively.
Head of International Training at Novel & Dangerous Pathogens Training, UKHSA. Key Expert EU CoE CBRN Projects 53, 81 & 99. WHO Consultant, Lab Capacity Building Lead for IHR Strengthening Project - Ethiopia & Pakistan.
7 个月Human factors also form a major part of any risk assessment process. Training as you suggest is a key part in risk mitigation but improved vastly with prior hazard/risk awareness and sensitisation in understanding risk in activities at a local level (such as wet markets / abbatoirs).