We are a group of researchers from the University of Bern. We are planning a project to prepare for future pandemics. The project is called BEready ('Bern, get ready'). The BEready project wants to help people in the canton of Bern to be better prepared for the next pandemic. We are currently evaluating the results of a survey on BEready in the canton of Bern, where we asked several thousand people what they think about BEready.
Prof. Nicola Low collaborated with an international team of colleagues to identify unanswered questions about mpox virus and its transmission through sexual contact. A multi-country outbreak of mpox (formerly monkeypox) started in 2022 and has remained almost exclusively among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Mpox virus is not a new pathogen but was previously transmitted almost exclusively through direct contact with sick animals in a limited number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa. By 27th January 2023, there had been more than 85,000 diagnosed cases of mpox in 110 countries. In the article, published in PLOS Medicine, Prof. Low and her co-authors recommend cross-national research studies in multidisciplinary teams involving existing research cohorts and using harmonized protocols. Prof. Low is the lead of BEready and vice chair of the World Health Organization's Mpox Emergency Committee. (Image: Rachael Jones)
We are pleased to welcome cantonal and national representatives from health, education, politics, media and academic research to our BEready information meeting on 16 February 2023 in the main building of the University of Bern. The aim of the meeting is to present the first results of our online survey and the planned pilot study. For the online survey last autumn, 15,000 people in the Canton of Bern were randomly selected and invited to participate in the BEready survey. A quarter of the invited Bernese responded and shared their views, attitudes, convictions, concerns and opinions about BEready with us. The survey responses will be used to plan the pilot study of BEready, which is due to start in spring.
Respond better to future pandemics with cohort studies like BEready. This is one of Pour Demain's recommendations on biosecurity in Switzerland. Pour Demain is a non-profit think tank working for a safe and positive future for our children, grandchildren and their descendants. Its focus is on biosecurity and pandemic preparedness. Pour Demain is committed to effective and evidence-based policy.
Prof. Dr. med. Nicola Low and Prof. Dr. med. Gilles Wandeler, Lead and Co-Lead of the planned BEready cohort study, are in conversation with Marius Aschanden, who is Editor Bern at the "Berner Zeitung" and "Der Bund". They talk about the ongoing online survey and the planned cohort study. They also talk about what motivates Bernese people to participate in BEready and how BEready can help people prepare for future pandemics.
Our BEready survey will run between September and December 2022. BEready aims to help people in the canton of Bern to be better prepared for the next pandemic. Several thousand people in the canton of Bern were randomly selected and invited to participate in the BEready survey. We are interested in the views, attitudes, beliefs, concerns and expectations of the people of Bern towards BEready. The answers to the survey will be used to plan BEready.
After a break due to the pandemic, the University of Bern is again organising a “Science Night” on Saturday, 10th September from 4 pm to midnight. In its usual form, science and research will be made tangible, and the dialogue between the public and the researchers will be initiated in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
The BEready Team will welcome the public at the University’s main building, and is looking forward to an animated discussion with the public about pandemic preparedness.
With monkeypox cases continue to rise in Switzerland and worldwide, the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID) held a monkeypox information event on Wednesday, 29th June via Twitter Spaces. Experts, including the BEready Cohort Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. med. Nicola Low, insight into monkeypox and the current status of this spreading infection. This was followed by a Q&A session with questions from listeners. Click here to listen to a recording of the event.
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