Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens,which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents.Notably,medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety ...Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens,which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents.Notably,medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety and biorisk management practices,predisposing them to a higher risk of laboratory hazards.In this study,we assessed the influence of entry-level students'adherence to practices and attitudes towards biosafety and biorisk management during the Internship.An online survey tool was used to explore the practices and attitudes towards laboratory biosafety and risk management.Of the 96 students,60(62.5%)anonymous responses were received,and of these,60.3%were direct entrants,and 32.8%were diploma entrants.Most(91.7%)of the students attended hospital internships,with 60.2%in Biosafety Level(BSL)-2 laboratories and 70.2%rotating in all the core areas of laboratory medicine.The 8.3%who did not attend any internship were under the direct entry category.Exposure to biohazards was not significantly associated with laboratory safety level and student entry category(P>0.05).Recommended laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the safety level of the laboratory and student entry category(P>0.05).Poor attitudes towards certain laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the biosafety level of the training laboratory(P>0.05),whereas training(P=0.021)and clean-up procedures(P=0.048)were associated with laboratory safety levels,respectively.The direct entrants had no access to BSL-3 laboratories,and this category of students had a negative attitude towards internship attendance.Therefore,there is a need to create a multi-channel full range laboratory biosafety and biorisk management teaching reforms based on practical application,real case studies,and laboratory simulation to be incorporated into the curriculum to benefit the direct entrant.展开更多
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 h...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.展开更多
In 2022 a report was published by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)into the causes and implications of the pandemic.This adds to an earlier UNEP report into the pandemic.Each of these reports identifies a...In 2022 a report was published by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)into the causes and implications of the pandemic.This adds to an earlier UNEP report into the pandemic.Each of these reports identifies a small number of important drivers for zoonotic emergence.While the two reports substantially agree,there are also some divergences,the discussion of which is the main purpose of this letter.Each report agrees that the farming of livestock to supply meat and other animal products is an underlying driver of potential zoonotic spillover.The chief difference between these reports,with regard to this aspect,concerns the word“protein”.The other important difference is that the later report identifies a potential role of laboratory and medical procedures contributing to zoonotic outbreaks and even to pandemics.Each of these differences are described.The letter concludes by discussing a recent WHO report that also warns of the risk of viral manipulation,and argues that this is an emerging topic relevant to One Health.展开更多
Availability of mobile laboratories can facilitate rapid on-spot detection of pathogens,monitor its presence in certain populations and inform health authorities to take immediate remedial measures.Currently available...Availability of mobile laboratories can facilitate rapid on-spot detection of pathogens,monitor its presence in certain populations and inform health authorities to take immediate remedial measures.Currently available biosafety and biosecurity guidelines and policies may not completely articulate the increased demand to manage mobile units in infectious disease outbreaks in remote parts of the country for rapid diagnosis,and also allows research and epidemiological study take place appropriately.The main objective of this study is to evaluate the current limitations and develop and implement biosafety and biosecurity guidelines as well as the protocols for operations,security,and response plan of mobile biosafety level 2 laboratories and their deployment.Keeping in view the sensitivity of it,a comprehensive plan was developed to address it in view of Global Health Security framework.Biosafety and biosecurity protocols were developed including Risk Assessment Tool(RAT)fitting the needs and strengthen the diagnostic and epidemiological capacity in the field covering remote parts of country to fill the gaps observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Currently the biosafety and biosecurity best practices guidelines and biosecurity policy and regulations are directed mostly towards static laboratories.A biosafety and biosecurity manual developed to adopt and meet the requirements for MBSL 2.For acute health infectious threats including the COVID-19 outbreak and other epidemics,rapid diagnosis can curb and mitigate the problem before it gets out of its boundaries creating significant health risks for the public and economy.The deployment of mobile laboratories will certainly help in curbing these catastrophes.展开更多
Introduction:The cyclical process of hazard identification,risk assessment,risk mitigation,and review is a key step in developing a biorisk management(BRM)system.This paper describes how this process was initiated in ...Introduction:The cyclical process of hazard identification,risk assessment,risk mitigation,and review is a key step in developing a biorisk management(BRM)system.This paper describes how this process was initiated in two laboratories in Pakistan using a unique model of blended learning.Methods:A training needs analysis showed that the staff had very little knowledge of BRM systems.A workshop using a unique blended model was conducted in which virtual and in-presence learning occurred simultaneously.This workshop aimed to train the participants by applying two key concepts from the World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th edition:1)the cyclical process of risk assessment and 2)mapping the core biorisk and establishing heightened control measures in the laboratories of the participants based on the risk assessment.All scenarios and examples used in the training were from the participants’laboratory work processes.Results:Prior to this project,no risk assessment was conducted in these laboratories.After the workshop,a risk assessment was performed for six work processes.In addition,seven core requirements and three heightened control measures were mapped,a biorisk officer was appointed,and a biosafety committee was convened.Furthermore,a biorisk manual,a biological waste management plan,an occupational health center,and a system for audits and inspections are being developed.Discussion and conclusion:BRM training is not a one-time effort;it has to be strengthened to ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable BRM system.Training must be applicable to local settings and incremental,in a way that participants are not overloaded with information.展开更多
Introduction:In today’s globalized world where travel is commonplace,a threat in one region can easily spread throughout the whole world.It is,therefore,essential for multi-disciplinary risk assessment,risk mitigatio...Introduction:In today’s globalized world where travel is commonplace,a threat in one region can easily spread throughout the whole world.It is,therefore,essential for multi-disciplinary risk assessment,risk mitigation,and collaborative strategies to take place among various stakeholders to mitigate this.Any strategic plan to deal with biosecurity,therefore,needs to be a complete loop,top to bottom and bottom to top.This paper describes the results of Project 62,which involved mapping and biosecurity risk assessment in South East Asia.Materials and methods:The mapping and biosecurity risk assessment activities for the participating partner countries was carried out in two phases.The first phase involved risk assessment by six partnercountry bio-experts for their own countries and the second phase involved conducting a joint Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,and Threats(SWOT)analysis and risk assessment for the South East Asian region as whole,together with international bio-experts at a workshop.Results and discussion:The following key recommendations of the project show that biosecurity needs to be addressed through stakeholder engagement at multiple levels starting from the top echelons of the government to the worker who needs to recognize and understand the threats they might face:1.Systematic analysis of existing information from BWC ISU Article 10,IHR capacities,JEE,UN Security Council Resolution 1540 Action Plan,EU CBRN NAP,and other relevant sources to develop a common understanding of the definition of biosecurity for all stakeholders in the region.2.Creation of programs for awareness building in biosecurity,not limiting them to laboratory biosecurity but using an all-inclusive approach to include border biosecurity,pandemic response,etc.3.Creation of a country-specific list of high-risk biological materials.4.Compulsory standardized biosecurity training,including responsible conduct in biosecurity research.5.Framework for one-health and security interface addressing biosecurity threats.6.Framework for ensuring information security in relation to biosecurity.7.Involvement of local/regional experts in the implementation of EU-CBRN CoE projects.展开更多
Experimental research with animals can help the prevention,cure,and alleviation of human ailments.Animal research facilities are critical for scientific advancement,but they can also pose a higher risk than other biom...Experimental research with animals can help the prevention,cure,and alleviation of human ailments.Animal research facilities are critical for scientific advancement,but they can also pose a higher risk than other biomedical laboratories.Zoonosis,allergic reactions,bites,cuts,and scratches by animals are all substantial concerns that can occur in animal facilities.Furthermore,human error and unexpected animal behavior pose a risk not just to humans,but also to the environment and the animals themselves.The majority of biosafety and biosecurity training programs focus on clinical and biomedical laboratories dealing with human safety factors,with little emphasis on animal biosafety.The current virtual training was designed to improve biosafety and biosecurity capabilities of animal laboratory personnel,researchers,and veterinarians from different regions of Pakistan.The results revealed that understanding was improved regarding triggers for risk assessment in addition to annual and regular reviews(56%to 69%),biosecurity(21%to 50%),decontamination(17%to 35%),safe handling of sharps(21%to 35%),Dual Use Research of Concern(DURC)(17%to 40%),Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)usage by waste handlers(60.9%to 75%),waste management(56%to 85%),animal biosafety levels(40.57%to 45%),and good microbiological practices and procedures(17%to 35%).To bring human and animal laboratories up to the same level in terms of biosafety and biosecurity,it is critical to focus on areas that have been overlooked in the past.Training programs focusing on animal biosafety should be conducted more frequently to strengthen bio risk management systems in animal research facilities.展开更多
文摘Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens,which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents.Notably,medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety and biorisk management practices,predisposing them to a higher risk of laboratory hazards.In this study,we assessed the influence of entry-level students'adherence to practices and attitudes towards biosafety and biorisk management during the Internship.An online survey tool was used to explore the practices and attitudes towards laboratory biosafety and risk management.Of the 96 students,60(62.5%)anonymous responses were received,and of these,60.3%were direct entrants,and 32.8%were diploma entrants.Most(91.7%)of the students attended hospital internships,with 60.2%in Biosafety Level(BSL)-2 laboratories and 70.2%rotating in all the core areas of laboratory medicine.The 8.3%who did not attend any internship were under the direct entry category.Exposure to biohazards was not significantly associated with laboratory safety level and student entry category(P>0.05).Recommended laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the safety level of the laboratory and student entry category(P>0.05).Poor attitudes towards certain laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the biosafety level of the training laboratory(P>0.05),whereas training(P=0.021)and clean-up procedures(P=0.048)were associated with laboratory safety levels,respectively.The direct entrants had no access to BSL-3 laboratories,and this category of students had a negative attitude towards internship attendance.Therefore,there is a need to create a multi-channel full range laboratory biosafety and biorisk management teaching reforms based on practical application,real case studies,and laboratory simulation to be incorporated into the curriculum to benefit the direct entrant.
文摘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.
文摘In 2022 a report was published by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)into the causes and implications of the pandemic.This adds to an earlier UNEP report into the pandemic.Each of these reports identifies a small number of important drivers for zoonotic emergence.While the two reports substantially agree,there are also some divergences,the discussion of which is the main purpose of this letter.Each report agrees that the farming of livestock to supply meat and other animal products is an underlying driver of potential zoonotic spillover.The chief difference between these reports,with regard to this aspect,concerns the word“protein”.The other important difference is that the later report identifies a potential role of laboratory and medical procedures contributing to zoonotic outbreaks and even to pandemics.Each of these differences are described.The letter concludes by discussing a recent WHO report that also warns of the risk of viral manipulation,and argues that this is an emerging topic relevant to One Health.
文摘Availability of mobile laboratories can facilitate rapid on-spot detection of pathogens,monitor its presence in certain populations and inform health authorities to take immediate remedial measures.Currently available biosafety and biosecurity guidelines and policies may not completely articulate the increased demand to manage mobile units in infectious disease outbreaks in remote parts of the country for rapid diagnosis,and also allows research and epidemiological study take place appropriately.The main objective of this study is to evaluate the current limitations and develop and implement biosafety and biosecurity guidelines as well as the protocols for operations,security,and response plan of mobile biosafety level 2 laboratories and their deployment.Keeping in view the sensitivity of it,a comprehensive plan was developed to address it in view of Global Health Security framework.Biosafety and biosecurity protocols were developed including Risk Assessment Tool(RAT)fitting the needs and strengthen the diagnostic and epidemiological capacity in the field covering remote parts of country to fill the gaps observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Currently the biosafety and biosecurity best practices guidelines and biosecurity policy and regulations are directed mostly towards static laboratories.A biosafety and biosecurity manual developed to adopt and meet the requirements for MBSL 2.For acute health infectious threats including the COVID-19 outbreak and other epidemics,rapid diagnosis can curb and mitigate the problem before it gets out of its boundaries creating significant health risks for the public and economy.The deployment of mobile laboratories will certainly help in curbing these catastrophes.
基金funded by UK aid from the UK government through the Fleming Fund Project.
文摘Introduction:The cyclical process of hazard identification,risk assessment,risk mitigation,and review is a key step in developing a biorisk management(BRM)system.This paper describes how this process was initiated in two laboratories in Pakistan using a unique model of blended learning.Methods:A training needs analysis showed that the staff had very little knowledge of BRM systems.A workshop using a unique blended model was conducted in which virtual and in-presence learning occurred simultaneously.This workshop aimed to train the participants by applying two key concepts from the World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th edition:1)the cyclical process of risk assessment and 2)mapping the core biorisk and establishing heightened control measures in the laboratories of the participants based on the risk assessment.All scenarios and examples used in the training were from the participants’laboratory work processes.Results:Prior to this project,no risk assessment was conducted in these laboratories.After the workshop,a risk assessment was performed for six work processes.In addition,seven core requirements and three heightened control measures were mapped,a biorisk officer was appointed,and a biosafety committee was convened.Furthermore,a biorisk manual,a biological waste management plan,an occupational health center,and a system for audits and inspections are being developed.Discussion and conclusion:BRM training is not a one-time effort;it has to be strengthened to ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable BRM system.Training must be applicable to local settings and incremental,in a way that participants are not overloaded with information.
文摘Introduction:In today’s globalized world where travel is commonplace,a threat in one region can easily spread throughout the whole world.It is,therefore,essential for multi-disciplinary risk assessment,risk mitigation,and collaborative strategies to take place among various stakeholders to mitigate this.Any strategic plan to deal with biosecurity,therefore,needs to be a complete loop,top to bottom and bottom to top.This paper describes the results of Project 62,which involved mapping and biosecurity risk assessment in South East Asia.Materials and methods:The mapping and biosecurity risk assessment activities for the participating partner countries was carried out in two phases.The first phase involved risk assessment by six partnercountry bio-experts for their own countries and the second phase involved conducting a joint Strengths,Weaknesses,Opportunities,and Threats(SWOT)analysis and risk assessment for the South East Asian region as whole,together with international bio-experts at a workshop.Results and discussion:The following key recommendations of the project show that biosecurity needs to be addressed through stakeholder engagement at multiple levels starting from the top echelons of the government to the worker who needs to recognize and understand the threats they might face:1.Systematic analysis of existing information from BWC ISU Article 10,IHR capacities,JEE,UN Security Council Resolution 1540 Action Plan,EU CBRN NAP,and other relevant sources to develop a common understanding of the definition of biosecurity for all stakeholders in the region.2.Creation of programs for awareness building in biosecurity,not limiting them to laboratory biosecurity but using an all-inclusive approach to include border biosecurity,pandemic response,etc.3.Creation of a country-specific list of high-risk biological materials.4.Compulsory standardized biosecurity training,including responsible conduct in biosecurity research.5.Framework for one-health and security interface addressing biosecurity threats.6.Framework for ensuring information security in relation to biosecurity.7.Involvement of local/regional experts in the implementation of EU-CBRN CoE projects.
文摘Experimental research with animals can help the prevention,cure,and alleviation of human ailments.Animal research facilities are critical for scientific advancement,but they can also pose a higher risk than other biomedical laboratories.Zoonosis,allergic reactions,bites,cuts,and scratches by animals are all substantial concerns that can occur in animal facilities.Furthermore,human error and unexpected animal behavior pose a risk not just to humans,but also to the environment and the animals themselves.The majority of biosafety and biosecurity training programs focus on clinical and biomedical laboratories dealing with human safety factors,with little emphasis on animal biosafety.The current virtual training was designed to improve biosafety and biosecurity capabilities of animal laboratory personnel,researchers,and veterinarians from different regions of Pakistan.The results revealed that understanding was improved regarding triggers for risk assessment in addition to annual and regular reviews(56%to 69%),biosecurity(21%to 50%),decontamination(17%to 35%),safe handling of sharps(21%to 35%),Dual Use Research of Concern(DURC)(17%to 40%),Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)usage by waste handlers(60.9%to 75%),waste management(56%to 85%),animal biosafety levels(40.57%to 45%),and good microbiological practices and procedures(17%to 35%).To bring human and animal laboratories up to the same level in terms of biosafety and biosecurity,it is critical to focus on areas that have been overlooked in the past.Training programs focusing on animal biosafety should be conducted more frequently to strengthen bio risk management systems in animal research facilities.
