ABSA International Blog
June 10 is Maryland Biosafety Day
The State of Maryland has officially proclaimed June 10, 2026, as Biosafety Day in recognition of the critical role biosafety professionals play in protecting public health, advancing scientific research, and ensuring the safe operation of laboratories and biocontainment facilities. The proclamation, signed by Governor Wes Moore, coincides with the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association (ChABSA) Annual Scientific Symposium on June 10, which will bring together biosafety professionals, researchers, and industry experts to discuss current challenges, emerging trends, and best practices in the field.
Hantavirus (2026 Multi‑Country Outbreak)
The EIDC has compiled Hantavirus resources to support biosafety professionals, laboratory personnel, and public health responders in understanding the current situation and implementing appropriate risk‑based controls. This Hantavirus section of the Other Zoonotic Agents Toolbox includes links to outbreak summaries, laboratory testing guidance, biosafety recommendations, and peer‑reviewed literature related to Andes virus transmission, including evidence of rare person‑to‑person transmission observed in past outbreaks.
ISO/TS 7446:2026 & ISO 35001 Announcement
ABSA International is pleased to announce the publication of ISO/TS 7446:2026 — “Implementation guidance for biorisk management for laboratories and other related organizations” —in January 2026. This Technical Specification is a supplement to ISO 35001, offering practical, implementation-focused guidance. [...]
Key Updates for Agricultural Biosafety – including very useful tools in BMBL6 Appendix D
In case you weren’t aware, Appendix D in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition (2020) underwent significant revisions from the 5th Edition, retitling it from "Agriculture Pathogen Biosafety" to "Biosafety and Biocontainment for Pathogens Affecting Agricultural Animals and [...]
Earn CM points!
If you are seeking a resourceful and rewarding way to earn credentialing maintenance (CM) points, how about posting to the ABSA International Blog.
The blog post must provide a summary (up to 300 words) of a current topic in biosafety, biosecurity, or relative topic that would be of interest to the ABSA membership. The website link for the source information must be included at the end of the blog post. Preparation for a blog post may take 30-60 minutes.
An ABSA member or a person sponsored by an ABSA Member, can earn up to .25* CM points for authoring each blog post. In addition to the benefit of earning CM points, this is a great way to share current, important information and educate others through the ABSA International Blog.
*final point determination made by the Credentialing Maintenance Board
Q: How do I submit a post to the blog?
A: Click on the “Submit a post” button on the main page of the blog.
Q: Do I need to be a member of ABSA to submit a post?
A: No, you do not need to be a member of ABSA, but an ABSA member must “sponsor” your post.
Q: Do I need to register to submit a blog post?
A: No. Anyone can submit a post, but you must be sponsored by an ABSA member if you are not a current member.
Q: Can I submit a picture for my post?
A: At this time we are not accepting user-submitted images. Our editorial team will find an appropriate picture to associate with the post from a free source or from a stock image provider.
ABSA International Inclusion Statement
In alignment with our core organizational values, ABSA International (ABSA) encourages positive connections between biosafety professionals, scientists, governmental/nongovernmental organizations, and the public. It is our organization’s policy to administer all activities without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital/familial status, and veteran status. These practices extend to all aspects of ABSA’s activities and to all roles within the association (e.g., member, ambassador, employee, mentor, sponsor, and vendor).
