Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 16 August 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

WHO Warns More Mpox To Come In Europe After Case In Sweden

The WHO on Thursday warned further imported cases of the new, more dangerous mpox strain in Europe were likely, after Sweden announced the first such infection outside Africa in an outbreak that has killed hundreds in the DR Congo. The case recorded in a traveler in Sweden was announced the day after the World Health Organization declared the mpox surge in Africa a public health emergency of international concern — the highest alarm it can sound.

The UN health agency was concerned by the rise in cases and fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the spread to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The US Department of Health said Wednesday it would be “donating 50,000 doses of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to DRC”.

Analyst Comments:

The WHO’s European regional office in Copenhagen said it was discussing with Sweden how best to manage the newly detected case. “The confirmation of mpox Clade 1 in Sweden is a clear reflection of the interconnectedness of our world,” it said in a statement. While organizations that have operations in the DR Congo and neighboring regions will want to be aware of the risk, it is important to note that mpox is not COVID-19. There are tools that are proven to work to stop the spread and help those at risk, and it does not spread as easily.

Bomb Threats Target Jewish Facilities in Multiple States

Secure Community Network (SCN) has shared a report related to recent bomb threats targeting Jewish facilities across the U.S. According to the report, on 15 August 2024, at least 12 states received nearly identical email bomb threats. It indicates that SCN knows of at least 57 Jewish facilities that were targeted in Florida, Illinois, and Indiana. Threats targeted both faith-based facilities as well as schools.

Analyst Comments:

As always, we encourage the community to familiarize themselves with the latest bomb threat guidance and resources, and to train staff to take all threats seriously. Below are several resources that we have previously shared:

• Bomb Threat Guide – DHS
• Bomb Threat Checklist – DHS
• Recognize the Signs of Terrorism-Related Suspicious Activity – DHS 
• Physical Security Goals for Faith-Based Communities – DHS