There is a clear connection between naturally occurring diseases and national security. Diseases do not recognize borders and can threaten a nation's security both directly by infecting military members or indirectly by straining economic and healthcare systems. The document discusses how diseases like the Spanish flu in 1918, Ebola in 2014-2016, and HIV/AIDS have posed national security risks by reducing military readiness, overwhelming healthcare infrastructure, and slowing economic activity. Any disease that impacts a large portion of the population or military has implications for a nation's security.

1. dicussion board responses
Joshua Sayoc response to week 8 GCH 535 Week 8 COLLAPSE Adversarial Connection
National security and naturally occurring diseases have a naturally adversarial connection.
National security aims to protect citizens, economy, institutions from military threats,
terrorist threats, economic threats, food threats, cyber threats, natural disasters, etc. On the
other hand, naturally occurring diseases, whether it is bacterial or viral, do not have an
agenda, infect people indiscriminately, and do not abide by laws and norms established by
society—such as borders. Diseases (bacterial or viral) act in a natural manner established
before humans, since they are the earliest living life forms found on earth dating back
billions of years ago. Potential National Security Threats Disease incidence does pose a
threat to national security, looking back at history there are examples of naturally occurring
diseases that posed a national security threat: Spanish Flu (1918 Flu Pandemic) – Not
initially designated as a threat to national security, the pandemic had security implications
that fit our current day definition of national security • • • • • • • • • The Spanish flu was one
of the worst pandemics in recent history, roughly 500 million or a third of the population
died as a result of this pandemic. Military readiness was affected, it is estimated that more
soldiers died of the flu than in WWI battle. Hospitals were overcrowded and makeshift
hospitals were needed. Businesses shut down due to illness. Lack of available works slowed
economic activity. State and local health departments shutdown (History.com Editors,
2010). Ebola (2014-2016) – The 2014 Ebola outbreak posed a national security threat and
had every country on high alert and worried about individuals who traveled to and from
West Africa. In terms of security in West African countries, the 2014 outbreak of Ebola put
huge stresses on underprepared health care infrastructure in Liberia. o Studies showed that
several hospitals in Liberia lacked the essential medical supplies, such as gloves, depleted
supplies of soap and cleaning supplies, and poor communication capabilities (Forrester et
al., 2014). The international health community responded in west Africa by providing aid in
the forms of health workers and supplies o Incidentally this led to a few Ebola cases being
treated in Spain, Italy, and the United States, mainly among health care workers who
recently traveled to west Africa (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). During
the 2014 outbreak, then Presidential Candidates Chris Christie and Donald Trump
promoted the idea of travel bans for countries affected by Ebola. o Evidence shows that
travel bans do not work, since determined individuals will get into a country no matter
what, and that travel bans weaken our disease and surveillance capabilities (Belluz &
Hoffman, 2019). Belluz, J., & Hoffman, S. (2019, July). Ebola outbreak 2019: Closing borders

2. to stop the disease won’t work. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from
https://www.vox.com/2014/10/18/6994413/research-travel-bans-ebola-virusoutbreak
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Global Health Security | Division of Global
Health Protection | Global Health | CDC. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from
https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/ghs/index.html Forrester, J. D., Pillai,
S. K., Beer, K. D., Bjork, A., Neatherlin, J., Massaquoi, M., … Cock, K. D. (2014). Assessment of
Ebola Virus Disease, Health Care Infrastructure, and Preparedness—Four Counties,
Southeastern Liberia, August 2014. 63(40), 3. History.com Editors. (2010, October). Spanish
Flu. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-
flu-pandemic Yashvi Aware Week 8 COLLAPSE Disease and Security Naturally occurring
diseases and national security are very related, as an infectious disease outbreak has the
potential to destabilize a nation and cause tremendous economic and social harm.The
threat of disease can result in social instability, especially when a nation or community has
never experienced a specific outbreak before, or is not prepared. Monetary resources,
health care professionals, and facilities are strained during such instances, which can
further propagate unrest (Cecchine and Moore). Those looking to harm a nation could prey
upon these vulnerabilities to create greater harm, and bioterrorism could even cause the
initial outbreak and trigger catastrophe. Disease Incidents In 2016, President Obama sent
the U.S. military into Liberia to help assist with the containment of Ebola because he
recognized the threat it had to not only Liberia or Africa, but across the Atlantic Ocean into
the U.S. (Gostin and Hodge, 2016). If any of those soldiers were infected, many of our service
members could be lost as well. Loss of service members poses a clear threat to our national
security. Another disease of interest is HIV/AIDS, which has prevalence in military
personnel in regions across the world. Because of this, the President’s Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief in 2003 worked to provide global support for prevention and treatment
services. (WHO.Int) When diseases are perceived as security threats, they are able to garner
more political support and funding that helps people in communities live healthy lives and
keep nations safe. Impact of Disease Diseases such as Zika have the ability to directly impact
national security by the strain they place in economical and social structures. As hot zones
of Zika increase, travel is lessened- which directly impacts our economy. The future of
children and mothers infected with Zika are still being studied and we do not know the
disease burden complete. This disease impacts an entire generation of people that might not
be able to contribute to economic and social growth because of the disease. (Gostin and
Hodge, 2016). Zika can also have indirect impacts on factors like contraceptives and family
dynamics for those having to care for those affected by Zika or other infectious diseases.
References Cecchine, Gary, Moore, & Melinda. (2006, August 2). Infectious Disease and
National Security: Strategic Information Needs. Retrieved from
https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR405.html. Gostin, L. O., & James G. Hodge,
J. (n.d.). Zika Prevention Is a Matter of National Security. Retrieved from
https://time.com/4449287/zika-prevention-national-security/. Health and security in
foreign policy. (2011, March 4). Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/3/06-036889/en/. Melissa Gray security
threats with disease COLLAPSE Association between naturally occurring diseases and

3. security, deliberating on how and why disease incidents could become national security
threats: There is a clear link between diseases and national security. Katz (2019) describes
the relationship by categorizing the information into two sections- indirect and direct.
Examples of direct links between health and national security include the use of biological
weapons or intentional spread of disease as well as when diseases affect our armed forces
(Katz, 2019). A nation that is trying to defend itself is less effective if the military is dying
from infectious diseases. The overall “readiness” is directly affected by those ill individuals.
Examples of indirect links between health and security is the issue of morbidity and
mortality. Large loss of life, or large sectors of the population being affected by diseases, can
result in economic loss, societal disruption or disorder, fear of disease, unrest, or
deterioration of the population (Katz, 2019). A nation that is “safer” from the spread of
infectious diseases, meaning that they can respond rapidly to outbreaks or work to prevent
outbreaks, is a stronger country in regard to their safer security measures. Especially since
people are constantly entering and leaving countries, there is potential for quickly
spreading diseases. Diseases can compromise the ability to protect and respond if the
population is severely affected or exposed without preparedness plans. In an article by the
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) (2003) they referred to the National Intelligence
Council 2000 report and mentioned how emerging diseases or biological agents can pose a
large threat on global security. They stated that the future of global security with infectious
diseases is influenced by the antimicrobial resistance, the research and development of
vaccines, developing transitional economies where everyone in the population despite
income level can have good quality of life where they are protected from disease, and the
effectiveness of surveillance and response in public health infrastructure (NAS, 2003). Two
disease that have posed a security threat: Two diseases that have posed a security threat
are influenza (H5N1) and HIV/AIDS. They have each caused economic impact from any size
outbreak and HIV/AIDS continues to be a threat to public health. Each has led to
incorporating political action and funds to create Relief Funds (AIDS Relief) or aid programs
to protect both diseased and non-diseased individuals. Increased interest in protecting
another outbreak from occurring is the national security threat that public health workers
are working to protect (Katz & Singer, 2003). Working to get a larger portion of the
population vaccinated from the flu is an example of protecting the public from large
outbreaks. Examples of disease incidents that had (or have) security implications: The Zika
virus caused security implications in 2015 when it finally made global news. The virus was
first discovered in 1947 in Uganda but it was not until 2015 that more attention was
brought to it (Katz, 2019). Reports were starting to show significant numbers of virus
indication especially when it crossed over into Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and parts of the U.S.
(Katz, 2019). Another example includes Ebola in West Africa. It took a year from the
outbreak occurring to the time that the WHO declared it a public health emergency. The
disease spread rapidly and across national borders which demonstrates the security
implications that occurred (Katz, 2019). Consider emerging and re-emerging diseases such
as SARS, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika and measles and describe how these diseases can directly
and indirectly impact the security of nations: SARS- Indirect- individuals are not travelling
due to fear of contracting disease. Does not impact security immediately, but can affect the

4. economic growth. Direct- diseased individuals travelling across countries spreading the
disease. HIV/AIDS- Indirect- infected individuals cannot get the job/career they want due to
their disease (ex: joining military). Armed forces have to be healthy to protect the nation.
Direct- orphans from HIV/AIDS has increased and labor force has shrunk due to sick
individuals. Economic unrest is a direct result. Ebola- Indirect- overload of infected
individuals are turned away by overcrowded clinics and health care facilities—the number
of health care workers to infected individuals is not a realistic ratio. Direct- individuals flee
areas and end up in other regions in effort to escape- could still be infected and unaware
that they are spreading the disease. Zika- Indirect- infants born with complications, costing
healthcare and families more money to maintain or assist. Direct- individuals fear the virus.
Infected individuals may spread the disease through sexual contact. Measles- Indirect-
vaccinations do exist but fear of travelling before your child is fully vaccinated can be an
issue. If you travel and return home after being exposed, the illness could be dormant for a
few days before symptoms appear. Direct- highly contagious illness that can spread quickly
and cause outbreaks in new regions. References: CDC. (2019). Top 4 Things Parents Need to
Know about Measles. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/parents-
top4.html Katz, R., & Banaski, J. A. (2019). Essentials of public health preparedness and
emergency management (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Katz, R. &
Singer, D.A. (2007). World Health Organization: Health and security in foreign policy, 85(3).
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/3/06-036889/en/ National
Academy of Sciences (NAS). (2003). Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and
Response. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221484/