News

Please find the List of Training Opportunities here: PDF.

Experts call for a stronger safety culture at secure sites after incidents involving anthrax and flu in a US laboratory.

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The recent work on the modified H5N1 has stirred an intense debate on the risk associated with the accidental release from biosafety laboratory of potential pandemic pathogens. Here, we assess the risk that the accidental escape of a novel transmissible influenza strain would not be contained in the local community.

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In May of this year, the 67th World Health Assembly will again debate the question of when the remaining specimens of smallpox virus should be destroyed. (…)
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Recommendations of a CDC-convened, Biosafety Blue Ribbon Panel
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Die vorliegende Vollzugshilfe – verfasst von der Interkantonalen Erfahrungsaustauschgruppe von Fachstellen im Bereich der Bio- und Gentechnologie ERFA BIO – vermittelt konkrete Anforderungen an die Wartung und Instandsetzung von mikrobiologischen Sicherheitswerkbänken, welche für Klasse 2- Tätigkeiten mit infektiösen Mikroorganismen verwendet werden.

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The aim of this survey was to gather information on bio-incidents and LAIs in biological laboratories in the Flemish region and to gain insight into the possible underlying causes in order to provide biosafety officers, prevention officers and occupational health practitioners with tools that can enhance biological safety in the laboratory. For further details see: PDF

Two research teams that conducted a massive number of experiments on the new H7N9 influenza virus found more signs that it could be a pandemic virus, though their animal tests showed that its ability to spread through coughs and sneezes isn’t as robust as seasonal flu. For further details see: link.

A review article discussing regulations, safety considerations and physical limitations with regards to scientific progress in the context of BSL4 laboratories may be found at the following link: Article

A new article on the current situation and challenges involving European BSL4 laboratories has been published in PLoS Pathogens. See attached link for further details.