Boom in high-security bio labs brings greater pandemic risk – The National

Boom in high-security bio labs brings greater pandemic risk – The National

Boom in high-security bio labs brings greater pandemic risk. The labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.. Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.. Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.. Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1. The labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled.. Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.. Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.. Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.. Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection.. Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel.. The World Health Organisation (WHO) faces calls to reinforce its rules and send more inspectors to Biosafety Level 4 security labs, more than 100 of which are expected worldwide