World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Biosafety Guidelines for Handling Pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Viruses in Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
The spread of pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus throughout the human and animal populations has led to an increase in the number of laboratories performing diagnostics for this pathogen. In recognition of the need for guidance on how to handle pH1N1 viruses safely, the OIE has established the following minimum biocontainment and biosafety guidelines for handling specimens that may contain pH1N1 virus. They are based on biosafety guidelines published in the OIE Manual of Standards and by the World Health Organization.
Samples for diagnostic testing for pH1N1 should be handled at the OIE containment level for group 2 pathogens. The following procedures are recommended:
- Personnel protective equipment should be worn, including solid-front laboratory coats, gloves, and safety glasses .
- Respirators with greater than or equal to 95% efficiency may also be worn for added protection.
- Specimens from potentially infected animals should be processed in a Type II biosafety cabinet
- Centrifugation should be performed in sealed centrifuge cups.
- Centrifugation rotors should be opened and unloaded in a biosafety cabinet. Work surfaces and equipment should be decontaminated after specimen processing.
- Contaminated materials should be decontaminated by autoclaving or disinfection before disposal or should be incinerated.
Animal studies should be carried out at the OIE containment level for group 2 pathogens. The following procedures are recommended:
- Personnel protective equipment should be worn including disposable coveralls, boots, gloves and safety glasses
- Respiratory protection with a greater than or equal to 95% efficiency should be used.
- Contaminated materials (including animal) should be decontaminated by autoclaving or disinfection before disposal or should be incinerated.