BAVBD at ABSA: Poster on Regional Preparedness & Strategic Meeting with EBSA
North Carolina, USA — ABSA International Annual Meeting.
BAVBD participated in this year’s ABSA International meeting with a poster presentation and held a productive leadership meeting with the European Biosafety Association (EBSA).
Poster Presentation
Title: From Surveillance to Preparedness: Regional Capacity Building for High‑Consequence Pathogens in the Balkans
Presenter: Dr. Pavle Banović (Pasteur Institute Novi Sad / BAVBD)
The poster highlighted a regional collaboration between the Pasteur Institute Novi Sad (BSL‑2+) and the National Laboratory of Virology, Hungary (BSL‑4) to bolster diagnostics, biosafety practice, and cross‑border research for vector‑borne threats. Key outcomes included:
Enhanced surveillance & diagnostics: implementation of molecular assays and genomic characterization for CCHFV and TBEV.
Workforce development: training of 10+ laboratory professionals in biosafety and molecular detection methods.
Epidemiological insights: evidence of TBEV seroprevalence and endemic CCHFV circulation underscoring the need for preventive measures (e.g., immunization) and sustained surveillance.
Together, these efforts present a scalable model for regional public‑health preparedness that integrates research, training, and field surveillance.
Strategic Meeting with EBSA
During the meeting in North Carolina, members of the BAVBD Biosafety Task Force met with the President of the European Biosafety Association (EBSA), Pat Casey, to discuss potential joint activities and future collaborative projects.
The discussion focused on strengthening regional and international cooperation in biosafety, biosecurity, and capacity building, and on exploring opportunities for shared training initiatives and knowledge exchange.
BAVBD looks forward to continuing this dialogue and working together toward our common goal—promoting safe, responsible, and sustainable research and diagnostic practices in infectious‑disease prevention and control across Europe and beyond.
Why this matters for the Balkans
Climate variability, vector expansion, and historically limited diagnostics make the Balkans vulnerable to high‑consequence pathogens. Pairing laboratory strengthening with institutional partnerships—such as collaboration with EBSA—helps align best practices, harmonize training, and accelerate early detection and response across borders.
