Laboratory biosafety for handling emerging viruses

Emerging viruses are viruses whose occurrence has risen within the past twenty years,or whose presence is likely to increase in the near future.Diseases caused by emerging viruses are a major threat to global public health.In spite of greater awareness of safety and containment procedures,the handling of pathogenic viruses remains a likely source of infection,and mortality,among laboratory workers.There is a steady increase in both the number of laboratories and scientist handling emerging viruses for diagnostics and research.The potential for harm associated to work with these infectious agents can be minimized through the application of sound biosafety concepts and practices.The main factors to the prevention of laboratory-acquired infection are well-trained personnel who are knowledgable and biohazard aware,who are perceptive of the various ways of transmission,and who are professional in safe laboratory practice management.In addition,we should emphasize that appropriate facilities,practices and procedures are to be used by the laboratory workers for the handling of emerging viruses in a safe and secure manner.This review is aimed at providing researchers and laboratory personnel with basic biosafety principles to protect themselves from exposure to emerging viruses while working in the laboratory.This paper focuses on what emerging viruses are,why emerging viruses can cause laboratory-acquired infection,how to assess the risk of working with emerging viruses,and how laboratory-acquired infection can be prevented.Control measures used in the laboratory designed as such that they protect workers from emerging viruses and safeguard the public through the safe disposal of infectious wastes are also addressed.

Laboratory biosafety measures of SARS-CoV-2 at containment level 2 with particular reference to its more infective variants

The novel betacoronavirus(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2,SARS‐CoV‐2)is a pathogen that causes deadly respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019(COVID‐19).The incidence of this disease has increased in the last few months affecting 257,832,881 people in 221 countries and 51,68,069 deaths worldwide according to Worldometer at 04:03 GMT on November 22,2021.Thus,the emergence of this disease creates a challenge for health care providers in handling this pathogen and reducing its risk of transmission.In developing countries,this virus is treated in biosafety level 2 laboratories,where a high concentration of pathogen can easily affect the laboratory staff and cause the spread of this disease.Based on the epidemiology and characteristics of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus already discussed in recent studies,we will provide biosafety guidelines and suggestions for safe handling and transportation of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus in dealing with the current pandemic situation with a focus on increased infectivity of emerging new variants.

Tier-based approach to establish a culture of biosafety at a medical microbiology research laboratory in Egypt

Microbiology Research Laboratory(MRL)is a biosafety level-2(BSL-2)research laboratory located at the main campus of Faculty of Medicine,Ain Shams University(ASU)in Cairo.With the objective of strengthening the departmental capacities of biosafety,a series of activities were carried out between October 2019,and January 2020 to raise awareness,along with instilling standard biosafety practices and procedures among laboratory staff including non-health professions.MRL staff were categorized according to their biosafety knowledge into three tiers:tier(1):with zero to minimal knowledge,tier(2):with basic knowledge,tier(3):with satisfactory knowledge.Tier based activities were designed to align with their job responsibilities.Results:44 selected laboratory staff were trained on biosafety practices:12 from tier(1),19 from tier(2)and 13 constituted tier(3).Through regular follow-ups,the impact of the implemnted training plan was reflected on the practices and knowledge of all laboratory staff.Knowledge among health professions has increased by 60%.Furthermore,6 staff members have granted a biosafety certification by International Federation of Biosafety Association(IFBSA).Conclusion:establishing a culture of biosafety within microbiology research laboratories is integral to safe research practices.Together with developing local and national biosafety regulations and policies will ensure research advancement without compromising public health or environmental safety.