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Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an ABSL-4 Laboratory: 2. General Practices
Published on: October 3, 2016
Biosafety standards for working with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
Manfred Weidmann1, Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc2, Silvia Bino3
1Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.
Insights
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) diagnostics can be safely performed in biosafety level (BSL)-2 laboratories, not just BSL-4. This recommendation allows endemic countries to conduct essential CCHF testing more effectively.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biosafety
- Public Health
Background:
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a biosafety level (BSL)-4 agent in non-endemic regions.
- Diagnostic testing in endemic countries is often performed under BSL-2 or BSL-3 conditions due to necessity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for revising biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures.
- To propose the use of enhanced BSL-2 conditions for CCHF testing in affected countries.
Main Methods:
- Review of safety protocols and outcomes in endemic countries performing CCHF diagnostics.
- Analysis of sample processing volumes and safety records in BSL-2 laboratories.
Main Results:
- Over 100,000 samples have been safely processed in BSL-2 laboratories in Turkey and Balkan countries.
- Existing practices demonstrate the feasibility of safe CCHF diagnostics under enhanced BSL-2 conditions.
Conclusions:
- Biosafety level requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be revised.
- Enhanced BSL-2 conditions, with appropriate equipment and protocols, are suitable for CCHF diagnostics in endemic areas.
- Downgrading CCHFV research from BSL-4 to BSL-3 should be considered.
Abstract:
In countries from which Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is absent, the causative virus, CCHF virus (CCHFV), is classified as a hazard group 4 agent and handled in containment level (CL)-4. In contrast, most endemic countries out of necessity have had to perform diagnostic tests under biosafety level (BSL)-2 or -3 conditions. In particular, Turkey and several of the Balkan countries have safely processed more than 100 000 samples over many years in BSL-2 laboratories. It is therefore advocated that biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be revised, to allow the tests required to be performed under enhanced BSL-2 conditions with appropriate biosafety laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment used according to standardized protocols in the countries affected. Downgrading of CCHFV research work from CL-4, BSL-4 to CL-3, BSL-3 should also be considered.
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