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An initiative to strengthen global preparedness for future pandemics like COVID-19 has been launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project, called ZODIAC, builds on the IAEA's experience in assisting countries in the use of nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques for the rapid detection of pathogens that cause transboundary animal diseases, including ones that spread to humans.

Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/IAEA-project-to-bolster-preparedness-for-pandemics

Aim is to give states access to nuclear or nuclear-derived techniques IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi. Image courtesy IAEA/D. Calma. The International Atomic Energy Agency is launching a project to establish a global network of diagnostic laboratories that can conduct monitoring, surveillance, early detection and control of emerging and reemerging zoonotic diseases such as the Covid-19 coronavirus using nuclear or nuclear-derived techniques. 

The agency’s director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, told a virtual board of governors meeting on Monday that the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (Zodiac) project will give member states access to equipment, technology packages, expertise, guidance and training.

The aim is to make the world better prepared for future outbreaks. Mr Grossi said Covid-19 had exposed problems related to virus detection capabilities in many countries, as well as a need for better communication between health institutions around the world.

Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/iaea-launches-zodiac-project-to-establish-global-laboratory-network-6-1-2020

A ceremony was held today to mark the official opening of a state-of-the-art laboratory building, named after former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano, at the agency's Seibersdorf site outside Vienna, Austria. The new facility will increase the IAEA's capacity to assist countries in fighting and preventing transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, and to tackle challenges related to climate change and food safety.

Date: Saturday, 06 June 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/IAEA-opens-Yukiya-Amano-Laboratories

A nuclear-derived technique is being used to detect virus causing Covid-19 Real time RT-PCR is the most accurate method to detect the Covid-19 virus. Photo courtesy D. Calma/IAEA. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it has so far delivered more than 250 consignments to 80 countries with supplies to help fight against the coronavirus pandemic, with many more to be shipped in the coming days and weeks.

The agency said its assistance includes equipment and expertise to help laboratories around the world step up testing as part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

The effort has drawn around €26m in extrabudgetary funds, including support from IAEA member states and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the Japanese multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. Last month Takeda said it would commit around €4.35m in support of the initiative.

The agency has been helping countries through the provision of RT-PCR equipment, as well as accessories for testing and sampling. It is also providing personal protective equipment and offering webinars and video guidance for health and laboratory professionals on sample collection and processing.

Date: Friday, 05 June 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/iaea-delivers-supplies-to-80-countries-in-fight-against-pandemic-6-4-2020

Funds will be used for nuclear-derived testing technique An initiative by the International Atomic Energy Agency to help some 120 countries contain the coronavirus pandemic has received extrabudgetary backing from member states, with voluntary pledges so far totalling around €22m.

The agency’s director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said on 11 May the funds will enable the IAEA to help hundreds of laboratories around the world in the use of a nuclear-derived testing technique called real time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). The method is currently the fastest and most accurate to detect the virus causing Covid-19.

Several member states have announced support for the IAEA’s assistance related to Covid-19, including US $11m from the US, €4m from Japan, €3.3m from Canada, €2m from Norway, €500,000 each from Germany, the Netherlands and Russia, €200,000 from Finland, along with contributions from Australia and others. In addition, China has announced in-kind support worth US$2m.

Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/iaea-member-states-pledge-eur22m-in-pandemic-support-5-2-2020

An initiative by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help some 120 countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic has received strong extrabudgetary backing from Member States, with voluntary pledges so far totalling around EUR22 million (USD24 million).

Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Funding-for-IAEA-COVID-19-initiative-reaches-EUR22

The United Arab Emirates' Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said today it is working with healthcare facilities and authorities at home and abroad to support efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, protect the community and ensure their radiation protection and safety.

Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/UAE-regulator-outlines-its-role-in-COVID-19-respon

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is dispatching a first batch of equipment to more than 40 countries to enable them to use a nuclear-derived technique to rapidly detect the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This emergency assistance is part of the IAEA's response to requests for support from around 90 Member States in controlling an increasing number of infections worldwide.

Date: Friday, 03 April 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/IAEA-dispatches-COVID-19-detection-equipment

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will provide diagnostic kits, equipment and training in nuclear-derived detection techniques to countries asking for assistance in tackling the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. Fourteen countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have requested assistance with the diagnostic technique, known as Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). "The Agency takes pride in its ability to respond quickly to crises, as we did in the recent past with the Ebola, Zika and African Swine Fever viruses," IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi said in a statement to the IAEA Board of Governors. "Contributing to international efforts to deal with the coronavirus will remain a priority for me as long as the outbreak persists."

Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/IAEA-announces-support-for-COVID-19-effort