Biosafety Advisory

Attention: UBC Researchers

Prior to any research occurring with human blood, body fluids or tissues, or any biohazardous material, ethics review and approval must occur. Please visit Research Information Service (RISe) systems to submit the appropriate ethics applications for review.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a Biosafety Advisory in response to the outbreak of the H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) in North America. This information has been developed to assist laboratories in developing proper biosafety procedures when handling clinical samples associated with novel human swine influenza (H1N1)virus.

View the current advisory online at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ols-bsl/banhsl-abnhgp-eng.php. Please bookmark the above URL as the advisory is based on current available scientific evidence about this emerging disease, and is subject to review and change as new information becomes available. For more information on the H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu), visit www.ubc.ca/okanagan/hse or www.hse.ubc.ca.

This biosafety advisory is being provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada in response to the recent outbreak of novel human swine influenza A(H1N1) in North America. This document has been developed to assist laboratories in developing proper biosafety procedures when handling clinical samples associated with novel human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. This advisory is based on current available scientific evidence about this emerging disease, and is subject to review and change as new information becomes available.

Precautions for laboratories receiving and processing human respiratory specimens and tissue samples from suspected novel human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus cases:

  • Specimens should at minimum be processed for packaging and distribution to diagnostic laboratories for further testing in a Containment Level 2 laboratory 1,2 using the additional operational practices as outlined below.
  •  Diagnostic testing (excluding viral culture) to rule out novel human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus should at minimum be performed in a Containment Level 2 laboratory1,2 using the additional operational practices as outlined below.
  •  Setup of viral culture should at minimum be performed in a Containment Level 2 laboratory1,2  using the additional operational practices as outlined below however, manipulation of the cultured agent should be performed in a certified Containment Level 3 laboratory1,2 .

Additional Operational Practices:

  • Laboratory workers should wear protective clothing (e.g. protective solid-front gowns, gloves, shoe covers, eye protection with face seal and N–95 respiratory protection1) in accordance with the risk of exposure when handling specimens. To use N - 95 respirators a Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) including a RPP Manager, must be in place; training and fit testing must be provided for all users3.
  •  Manipulations are to be carried out in a certified biological safety cabinet. 
  •  Centrifugation of respiratory specimens and tissue samples should be carried out using sealed centrifuge cups or rotors, both of which are unloaded in a biological safety cabinet.

Precautions for laboratories handling human respiratory specimens from confirmed novel human
swine influenza A (H1N1) virus cases for isolation and further manipulation of the agent:

  • Specimens should at minimum be processed for packaging and distribution to laboratories for further testing in a Containment Level 2 laboratory1,2 using the additional operational practices as outlined above. 
  •  Manipulation of the agent should be in a Containment Level 3 laboratory1,2 using Containment Level 3 operational practices1.  
  •  PCR testing of extracted non-infectious genetic material should at minimum be performed in a Containment Level 2 laboratory1,2. 

Transportation of clinical specimens: 

  •  Packaging, shipping and transport of specimens must, as a minimum, comply with the requirements of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, Transport Canada4.
  •  For air shipment, clinical specimens from suspicious and confirmed cases should be shipped as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B.
  •  For air shipment, laboratory cultures of novel human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus, should be shipped as UN 2814 Infectious Substance affecting humans (novel human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus).

Additional information

Further biosafety information may be obtained from the:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Office of Laboratory Security
Tel: 613-957-1779; fax 613-941-0596
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ols-bsl

and

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Biohazard Containment and Safety Division 
Tel: 613-221-7068; fax 613-228-6129
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/bioe.shtml

References

  1. Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3rd Edition, Public Health Agency of Canada
    www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ols-bsl/lbg-ldmbl/index-eng.phpContainment Standards for Veterinary Facilities, 1st edition, 1996, Agriculture and Agri-Food
  2. Canada, www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/lab/convet/convete.shtml
  3. Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators. CSA Standard Z94.4-02. Toronto: Canadian Standards Association, 2002.
  4. Transport Dangerous Goods, Transport Canada, www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/menu.htm

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Last reviewed 11/4/2009 9:39:27 PM

Flu Clinics - TBD

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