Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity最新文献

{"title":"Optimal strategies for containing infectious disease spread in mass gatherings with crowd mobility","authors":"G. Benrhmach ,&nbsp;L. Alrawas ,&nbsp;A. Tridane ,&nbsp;A.M. Al-Shaery ,&nbsp;H. Al Jassmi ,&nbsp;N.S. Farooqi ,&nbsp;A. Al-Hawsawi","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The risk of infectious diseases is considerably high during Hajj rituals due to overcrowding. The general application of a framework that describes Hajj can be limited as the characteristics of mass gatherings differ from one site to another. Therefore, there is a call for studies that focus on each of the Hajj rituals independently. This study proposes an agent-based model that describes the spread of contagions in the Mena Region, calibrated against reported COVID-19 outbreak characteristics during Hajj. An optimization was performed to test nine scenarios in which diseases’ prevalence, regional diversity, mobility, and capacity were prioritized in different combinations. The results show that prevalence becomes unrealistic in the case of no constraints, whereas eight out of the nine fitted scenarios fall within or near the empirical ranges of both prevalence (3–15%) and <span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> (1.4–3.1), signifying that the framework captures important epidemiological dynamics. The most cost-effective control is generated when all four factors are considered equally so high capacity and mobility are allowed, with infections kept in realistic bounds. When nationality groups vary according to vaccination properties and age distributions, limiting participants from high-risk regions illustrated a significant impact on suppressing the infection. Finally, the study also investigated the relationship between disease incubation time and the time people spend in a foreign area. Once the stay time exceeds the incubation time, the infection level and the peak of the infection undergo a sharp increase.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 2","pages":"Pages 127-137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148185021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies to strengthen biosecurity regulation in the ASEAN region and the United States: Approaches and implications","authors":"Noor Dzuhaidah Osman,&nbsp;Mohd.Kamarulnizam Abdullah","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rise of biological threats, such as new infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bioterrorism and unregulated biotechnology use, shows that it is critical for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region to have strong biosecurity laws, especially to safeguard public health. In this study, we examine the current biosecurity laws in three ASEAN countries: Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. We discuss the main problems and opportunities related to legal changes and compare these laws with those in the United States (US). We distinguish biosafety, which concerns manageable risks associated with living modified organisms (LMOs), from biosecurity, which concerns predominantly uncontrollable threats. Biosecurity and biosafety hazards are, in general terms, conceptually related to public health, LMOs and biological weapons and are governed by separate sets of international laws. Rapid progress in biology, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure has created complex risks to the health of people, animals and the environment. The experiences in several regions affected by COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome and H1N1 influenza highlight the imperative for synchronised legislative and institutional responses. We use a qualitative methodology to analyse national legislation and international legal frameworks and standards, including the Biological Weapons Convention, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention of Biological Diversity and the International Health Regulations (IHRs) from the World Health Organization. The results show that Singapore has a well-established, regularly updated biosecurity system. Malaysia is working to build its system through new laws and policies, and Brunei’s system is still in the developing stage. The US has a comprehensive legal framework that covers how to respond to pandemics, control disease and comply with international agreements. The results reveal ongoing concerns regarding the three ASEAN countries, specifically, the absence of standardised biosecurity protocols, robust legal systems and cooperation between sectors and countries. Hence, to tackle current and emerging biosecurity concerns, these countries need to address these issues and apply lessons learned from the US.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 2","pages":"Pages 138-151"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148554069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"China releases white paper on China’s arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation in the new era","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Page 56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147612153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New methods for the assessment and prediction of vector-borne infectious diseases","authors":"Senzhong Huang ,&nbsp;Xinyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Xi Chen ,&nbsp;Fengying Wei ,&nbsp;Jianguo Xu ,&nbsp;Yao Bai ,&nbsp;Zhen Jin ,&nbsp;Qiyong Liu ,&nbsp;Yamin Sun ,&nbsp;Jinjie Wang ,&nbsp;Zhaojun Wang ,&nbsp;Jun Xu ,&nbsp;Xianming Xu ,&nbsp;Lei Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study, which demonstrates that the single-population Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model is also applicable to the assessment and prediction of vector-borne infectious disease outbreaks, provides a reliable model tool for the future prevention and control of vector-borne unknown (<em>X</em>) epidemics. One of the key contributions is the identification of a suitable interpretation of the model parameters. The EpiSIX prediction system, via application of a single SEIR model, was used to fit and analyse the 2025 Foshan City chikungunya fever epidemic data and the 2024–2025 dengue fever epidemics data from Guangdong Province. The results showed that the average serial interval of both fevers was approximately 11 days. The estimated basic reproduction number (<em>R</em>₀) was around 6.0 for the chikungunya fever epidemic in Foshan City and approximately 4.0 and 3.0 for the 2024 and 2025 dengue fever epidemics in Guangdong Province, respectively. An additional prediction of the development trend of the ongoing 2025 dengue fever epidemic in Guangdong Province indicated that the final number of infections would range between 3400 and 6000 cases. Finally, a comparison between the uncontrolled developments of the omicron epidemic (with an average serial interval of 4 days) and the chikungunya fever epidemic (with an average serial interval of 11 days, 2.75 times that of omicron) under the same <em>R</em>₀ value (5.60) showed that the omicron epidemic would last for 50 days, while the chikungunya fever epidemic would persist for 120 days. Theoretically, the pressure of the former on medical resources would be 2.5 times that of the latter.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 39-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forecasting tuberculosis prevalence in Afghanistan until 2032: a mathematical modelling analysis","authors":"Abdul Raqib Muslimyar ,&nbsp;Mohammad Farooq Hakimi ,&nbsp;Dost Mohammad Faizi ,&nbsp;Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai ,&nbsp;Naqibullah Wardak","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Accurate disease forecasting can inform public health policies. Nonetheless, many countries, including Afghanistan, have yet to learn from this exercise.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to forecast tuberculosis (TB) prevalence in Afghanistan until 2032 and to estimate the reproduction number <span><math><msub><mi>R</mi><mn>0</mn></msub></math></span> using a mathematical model.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We utilised the susceptible–infected (SI) nonlinear epidemic model to forecast the prevalence of TB in Afghanistan. The model parameters were estimated from the data collected by the Afghan Ministry of Public Health between 2013 and 2022. The goodness-of-fit of the SI model was also assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The SI model predicted that the prevalence of TB in Afghanistan would increase to 0.214058 by 2032. In addition, we parameterised the model using the TB notification data collected between 2013 and 2022 and estimated the basic reproduction number at approximately 3.39.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study indicates that the SI model predicts a nonlinear increase in TB prevalence in Afghanistan in the years ahead. Therefore, this model can help inform health policymakers in optimising resource allocation and guiding future public health strategies for TB care in the country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145891212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medical students’ mobile phones: hotspots for antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative bacteria","authors":"Ahmed E. Taha ,&nbsp;Heba M. Saad Eldien ,&nbsp;Mohamed Abouelkheir ,&nbsp;Abdulbaqi S. Alduraywish ,&nbsp;Ali A. Alanazi ,&nbsp;Abdulaziz H. Alruwaili ,&nbsp;Mmdoh M. Alrais ,&nbsp;Abdulkareem A. Alyousef ,&nbsp;Abdullah A. Alrais ,&nbsp;Meshal A. Alanazi ,&nbsp;Sultan N. Alhudaib ,&nbsp;Bandar M. Alazmi ,&nbsp;Abdulaziz L. Alruwaili ,&nbsp;Gamal Abdelrahman Bakhaat","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The mobile phones (MPs) of medical personnel can be easily and rapidly contaminated by bacteria from patients or medical devices and by medical school or hospital environments. This is the first study set in Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia, to assess the prevalence of bacterial contamination of medical students’ MPs, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates and their independent risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>Swabs of 250 MPs of medical students were processed using standard microbiological procedures. Data were collected to identify independent contamination risk factors. The automated MicroScan WalkAway Microbiology System was used for bacterial isolate identification and antimicrobial sensitivity/resistance testing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prevalence of MPs’ bacterial contamination was 56.00 % (<em>n</em> = 140/250). Multivariate logistic regression and stratified analyses revealed significant associations between MP bacterial contamination and a 10-minute duration since the last hand wash (odds ratio [OR] = 1.788; <em>p</em> = 0.037*) and the presence of breaks in the screen or screen protector of MPs (OR = 1.840; <em>p</em> = 0.038*). The most common bacterial contaminants were <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> and <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em>, at frequencies of 31.79 %, 28.57 % and 19.29 %, respectively. The high frequency of Gram-negative bacterial contaminants in our geographical area was striking. Although <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> isolates were completely sensitive, Gram-negative isolates were found to have varying degrees of reduced susceptibility to some antimicrobials.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings support previous reports about the potential role of medical students’ MPs in the transmission of bacteria between community, medical education and healthcare (HC) settings. There is an urgent need to implement policies and regulations for MP use and decontamination, especially in medical education and HC settings. To minimise bacterial contamination risk, medical students should frequently wash their hands when in HC, medical education and community settings and ensure that their MP screens and screen protectors remain intact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 5-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimating the time-varying effectiveness of COVID-19 preparedness in WHO European Region: A biorisk-focused wavelength (BFW) model approach","authors":"Tevfik Bulut","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyses how the time-varying predictive power of national preparedness capacities over the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed over time. Building on the ‘preparedness paradox’ in the literature, the hypothesis that preparedness is a dynamic process whose effectiveness varies across different stages of the pandemic, rather than remaining a static state, was tested. To this end, a repeated cross-sectional analysis covering the period from 2020 to 2024 was conducted on a fixed cohort of 34 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The study utilised a comprehensive dataset integrating COVID-19 incidence from Our World in Data, annual preparedness scores from the WHO e-State Parties’ Self-Assessment Annual Reporting portal, socio-economic resilience indicators from the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Reports and population density metrics from the United Nations Population Division. The impact of the pandemic was quantified using the epidemiological wavelength model and its associated derivative frameworks. The annual explanatory power (adjusted R²) of three frameworks was compared: a Baseline Model representing general socio-economic resilience (indexed by the Human Development Index) and two specialised Biorisk-Focused Wavelength (BFW) Models (Core and Extended), which isolate specific biosecurity capacities. The results demonstrated that the predictive power of preparedness varied significantly across pandemic stages. During the initial phase in 2020, the Core BFW model, which focuses on basic strategic biorisk capacities, was the most effective predictor (adjusted <em>R</em>^<em>2</em> = 11.2%, p = 0.030). In contrast, as the pandemic reached a mature phase in 2022, the biorisk models lost all explanatory power, while the Baseline Model of systemic resilience emerged as a robust predictor (adjusted <em>R</em>^<em>2</em> = 24.4%, p = 0.002). This trend persisted into the endemic phase of 2024, where systemic resilience maintained a significant, albeit weaker, association (p = 0.032). Out-of-sample validation confirmed these findings: the Core BFW Model showed the highest forecast accuracy in 2020, whereas the Baseline Model demonstrated superior performance during the chronic phase of 2022. These results suggest that while technical biosecurity is critical during an initial shock, its influence is eventually superseded by overall systemic resilience. Consequently, future pandemic preparedness strategies must focus not only on static technical checklists but also on holistic approaches that enhance a nation’s ability to adapt to prolonged crises.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 45-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147612154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patent-based analysis of biosafety trends in synthetic biology","authors":"Qiangyu Xiang ,&nbsp;Wanying Gao ,&nbsp;Kunlan Zuo ,&nbsp;Zongzhen Wu ,&nbsp;Lu Zhang ,&nbsp;Jialin Diao ,&nbsp;Jiayun Chen ,&nbsp;Huan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explored biosafety trends in synthetic biology through patent analysis. As an interdisciplinary field, synthetic biology brings innovation opportunities to society, but it is accompanied by risks, such as the leakage of biological materials and genetic contamination. The Derwent Innovations Index database was used to retrieve 90 relevant patents for in-depth analysis. Through thematic term identification and data cleansing, the patent landscape and technological advancements at the intersection of synthetic biology and biosafety were assessed. Four biosafety classifications were proposed – operational biosafety, technical cell-culture limitations, pathogenic microorganism biosafety and infrastructure and facility biosafety – providing an empirical basis for relevant policymaking and practice. Quantitative analysis showed that over half of the patents were filed between 2017 and 2022 and that US patents focus mainly on operational-level safety, while Chinese patents emphasise infrastructure innovation. This study highlighted the importance of the patent literature in revealing biosafety issues in synthetic biology and suggested that these patents could be used to guide further patent applications and disclosures to promote the safe development and regulation of synthetic biology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 29-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hepatitis B virus S gene substitutions in Iraqi patients: computational analysis of missense substitutions and functional impact","authors":"Ahmed Yaseen Abed,&nbsp;Hekmat A. Owaid,&nbsp;Mohamad K. Koodi","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be a global health concern, with immune-escape substitutions increasingly reported in regions where genotype D predominates. In Iraq, where genotype D is the dominant strain, the functional impact of naturally occurring S gene substitutions remains poorly understood. This study examined S gene substitutions in 13 chronic hepatitis B patients from Anbar Province, Iraq, and used computational approaches to assess the functional consequences of missense substitutions in the large S protein.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A 1070 bp PCR fragment covering the S gene coding regions was amplified and sequenced. Missense substitutions were analyzed using five computational prediction tools (SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, PhD-SNP and P-Mut). Three-dimensional modelling, protein–protein docking analysis and epitope mapping were performed for the most consistently predicted potentially disruptive substitutions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 34 nucleotide substitutions were identified, including 15 missense substitutions, indicating genetic diversity among Iraqi HBV isolates from Anbar Province. Three substitutions (p.159D&gt;A, p.126R&gt;T and p.160P&gt;L) were consistently predicted as functionally impactful by multiple computational tools. Protein–protein docking simulation revealed significant reductions in antibody binding affinity for p.159D&gt;A (45%) and p.126R&gt;T (31%), suggesting potential immune escape mechanisms. Notably, p.126R&gt;T occurs within the vaccine-targeted ‘a’ determinant region, while p.159D&gt;A may contribute to immune escape through predicted conformational changes despite unchanged epitope scores.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This in <em>silico</em> analysis provides an initial functional evaluation of HBV S gene substitutions in Iraqi genotype D isolates and identifies substitutions with potential implications for vaccine efficacy and immune recognition. These findings highlight the value of computational screening in resource-limited settings and underscore the need for expanded molecular surveillance and experimental validation to assess clinical significance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"8 1","pages":"Pages 17-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the biosecurity and slaughter practises in selected European abattoirs with a focus on the control of Salmonella and hepatitis E virus contamination","authors":"Tarmo Niine ,&nbsp;Arvo Viltrop ,&nbsp;Imbi Nurmoja ,&nbsp;Richard Piers Smith ,&nbsp;Enrico Pavoni ,&nbsp;Giovanni Loris Alborali ,&nbsp;Giovanni Ianiro ,&nbsp;Ilaria Di Bartolo ,&nbsp;Tijs Tobias ,&nbsp;Elena Lucia Sassu ,&nbsp;Elke Burow","doi":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jobb.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The zoonotic pathogens <em>Salmonella</em> and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are frequently found in domestic pigs. The consumption of contaminated pig meat products is one of the most common routes of such infections in humans. Accordingly, it is important for abattoirs to implement adequate biosecurity and slaughter practises (BSPs) to control these microorganisms during production. However, checklists that abattoir staff or officials can use to assess whether BSPs are being implemented are not freely available. In the current study, which was conducted under the Biosecurity Practises for Pig Farming across Europe (BIOPIGEE) project as part of the European Joint Programme under Horizon 2020, we developed a questionnaire based on research published in recent decades and conducted an online survey of European abattoirs to determine which BSPs were being implemented to avoid pig carcass contamination with <em>Salmonella</em> and HEV. We received and analysed a total of 32 responses from Austria (3), Czechia (10), Estonia (2), Germany (6), Italy (5), the Netherlands (2), and the UK (4). The results revealed that most of the abattoirs adhered to well-established practises, such as hygienic evisceration, scalding, and controlled singeing. Nevertheless, notable gaps were identified. The small abattoirs reported the less consistent use of effective scalding procedures and relied more frequently on the manual removal of visible carcass contamination, whereas in the large abattoirs, standardised trimming or hot water washing was applied more often. These differences highlight the areas where targeted interventions, particularly improved cleaning methods for visibly contaminated carcasses, could substantially reduce the risk of <em>Salmonella</em> contamination. The results of this study could help abattoirs benchmark their current BSPs against those of their peers. Additionally, the questionnaire developed for this study may provide a useful checklist of practises and ideas to enhance BSP implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52875,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 168-179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}