Topic: Stopping the Spread of Disease Across International Borders
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Connor Renckly
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Canada position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
In the fast paced interconnected world of today the threat of an epidemic has become more threatening than ever, a resistant strain of a dangerous virus can be spreading through a small village in Bangladesh and by the next afternoon it could be infecting airports in Europe and North America. It is becoming clearer every day that we are simply not prepared for the plagues the world may send our way. We do have a hope however, effective action can be taken to stop the spread of a virus prevent it entirely and analyze the spread afterwards. Unfortunately for all the possible solutions the world has considered there are just as many ethical issues. We need to find ways to contain the spread of viruses (or if possible prevent them entirely) without denying others their rights, which is no easy task.
While the rights of mankind are always a priority there are times when it becomes necessary to quarantine infected individuals, and on occasion suspected infected parties as well, for short periods of time in order to save others. There are several options one can take when quarantining, in cases that are not especially serious individuals who are suspected of being infected may simply be contained for a hypothesized “Incubation period” for the virus in question. In more serious cases it seems that it could be necessary to quarantine all individuals who have been in direct and substantial contact with an infected individual. All of the actions above must be carried out by an appointed official however, in order to prevent any injustices or accidents from occurring.
It should come as no surprise that border control is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases over international borders. In Canada there is currently a very effective and humane system employed where, if a substantial health risk is present, the Governor in council can activate the Canadian quarantine policy known as the Quarantine Act. While the Quarantine Act is active all travelers must submit themselves to screening and inform a boarder services officer if they believe they have come into contact with the disease in question in any way, in addition if an individual refuses to disclose information or if an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect them of being infected a quarantine officer will be called to isolate the individual. We would like to see a system like this developed to be used on a global scale in a situation that would make such actions necessary.
Canada hopes that The United Nations can develop a global plan that aims to both save lives and remain ethically sound, and we will try to help in any way we can to achieve this goal. We are willing to look in to other countries opinions and proposals with an open mind and we would like to request that other countries do the same. Overall we would like to see a possible means for preventing the spread of infectious diseases while as well as a way to safely assist countries suffering from outbreaks. The United Nations must prepare the world for the worst while keeping in mind the needs of both the infected and those who need protection.
