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DISASTER

Disasters, disease top list of threats to Sweden

Floods, infectious disease, forest fires, and cyber attacks are among several threats to Sweden identified by the country's Civil Contingencies Authority (Myndigheten för Samhällsskydd och Beredskap-MSB).

Disasters, disease top list of threats to Sweden

The agency recently compiled a list of future threats to Sweden in what is to be a coordinated effort to map potential threats across countries in the European Union.

When identifying and completing the report, entitled “24 areas of risk for Swedish disaster recovery”, MSB collaborated with 46 Swedish authorities, having asked them to submit their own local analysis of areas of risk and vulnerability.

“It’s the first time we have compiled this type of survey on a national level. Authorities and municipalities have made statements in their respective fields, but we have not been able to get an overall view until now,” Johanna Enberg, Administrator at MSB, told the Dagens Nyheter (DN) newspaper.

Included on the list of threats are floods, storms, and solar flares which can cause extensive damage to the electrical grids and mobile phone networks.

MSB also believes landslides, earthquakes and forest fires could potentially become a threat in Sweden, as well as infectious diseases and an increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The list also includes possible heat waves and vermin infestation caused by climate change, as well as the threat due to terrorism.

MSB also highlights to potential threat to Sweden’s food and water supply that could come due to a chemical spill in lakes such as Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren.

“These are threats that could have very serious consequences. They can lead to situations that Sweden could find very difficult to handle without aid from other EU member states,” said Enberg to DN.

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