The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how emerging biological threats can cause catastrophic loss of life, economic damage, societal instability and global insecurity. As a result, there is a need for an increased priority of monitoring for and warning about the threats of infectious diseases and other global health risks.
Biological threats can include naturally occurring outbreaks of pathogens, such as Ebola; biotechnology, such as gene modification and genetic data; and bioweapons, such as anthrax. Biological threats are a serious national security challenge that the United States and the international community need to prepare for, according to the U.S. 2018 National Biodefense Strategy.