It is with great profound pleasure and anticipation that we celebrate the launch of GET Journal of Biosecurity and One Health. This journal is published by the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET). Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET) came into existence in the wake of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa as a platform to facilitate research and enhance preparedness against similar occurrences. Research and Publication is one of major plank of GET. Previously, reports of research had been published as monographs and technical papers. However, for unification of ideas and proper channeling of information and knowledge, GET Africa is introducing the GET Journal of Biosecurity and One Health.
The GET Journal of Biosecurity and One Health is a regular peer-reviewed journal that aims to publish articles in the varied but related areas of Biosecurity, Biosafety, One Health, Antimicrobial resistance, Bioterrorism, Biobanking and other related fields. The journals poises to fill the gap currently existing in the curation and dissemination of information and perspectives in these areas. To our knowledge there is no journal dedicated to this, particularly in Africa, Diaspora, and the rest of the Third World.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation define biosecurity in the context of a strategic and integrated approach that encompasses the policy, regulatory frameworks, instruments and activities for analysing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant health, and associated risks to the environment. Biosecurity covers food safety, zoonosis, the introduction of animal and plant diseases and pests, the introduction and release of living modified organisms (LMOs) and their products (genetically modified organisms or GMOs), and the introduction and management of invasive alien species. The One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding transdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. It involves designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.
There have been several epidemics that have questioned existing state of knowledge and preparedness to confront a rapidly changing environmental, biodiversity and health status of man. For instance, the Ebola virus outbreak of 2014 in West Africa was an event that appeared to take the world unaware. Also, the emergence and re-emergence of Lassa fever in regions hitherto regarded as low risk is another instance. However, these were mere child’s play in comparison with the COVID-19 Pandemic which swept the globe and brought the entire planet to its knees and continue to challenge the ingenuity of health authorities and practitioners in all sectors and strata. This spread and increasing emergence of zoonotic diseases and epidemics, coupled with the increasing concern for possible misuse of bioresources by individuals, groups and non state actors for terrorism or offensive activities, has thrown up Biosecurity as a field that cannot be relegated to the back seat at all levels of society, whether institutional, private, or public sector and all levels of government. It has also necessitated the creation of platforms for publishing manuscripts, short notes and policy briefs in this emerging field of biosecurity and one health.
GET Journal has an Editorial Board that boasts of reputable scholars and researchers, who undoubtedly are experts in their fields and also tested in their appreciation of multidisciplinary intellectual engagement. As we look forward to breaking into the scientific publishing, it is expected that researchers and scholars take advantage of this unique opportunity to submit their manuscript to GET Journal and be part of the big start, laden with thoroughness, quality and integrity. All papers receiving a high degree of enthusiasm in the peer-review process will find a home in GET Journal. We are committed to publishing all discoveries, methods, resources, and reviews that significantly advance the fields of Biosecurity, One health and other related subjects.
We hope to hear from you soon, and we welcome your feedback!
