laboratory safety Archives | ABSA International

2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: Testing for Potential Infection

CDC / Health Alert Network (HAN)

As of 18 May: 10 cases (8 lab-confirmed), 3 deaths. No confirmed U.S. Andes virus cases. Clinical laboratories advised to handle specimens from suspected HPS patients under BSL-2 enhanced precautions (Class II BSC, respirator). Andes virus is NOT a U.S. Select Agent, but laboratory directors should review biosafety risk assessments for specimen processing. Serology (IgM/IgG ELISA) and RT-PCR are diagnostic methods of choice; CDC DHCPP available for testing support.

keywords: Andes Virus, BSL-2, CDC diagnostic, Hantaviridae, hantavirus, HCW IPC, IgM ELISA, laboratory safety, person-to-person transmission, RT-PCR, Zoonotic Diseases

Laboratory Management of Agents Associated with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Interim Biosafety Guidelines

CDC / MMWR

13 May 1994

keywords: Andes Virus, Bunyavirales, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Hantaviridae, hantavirus, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, HPS, laboratory safety, zoonosis, zoonotic, Zoonotic Diseases

Hantavirus Laboratory Testing Guidance

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Center for Laboratory Sciences

11 May 2026

Includes guidance on considerations for infection control in laboratory settings, safety risks assessment for handling specimens, and testing.

keywords: Andes Virus, Bunyavirales, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Hantaviridae, hantavirus, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, HPS, inactivation, laboratory safety, risk assessment, testing, viral inactivation, zoonosis, zoonotic, Zoonotic Diseases

Hantavirus Case Definition and Reporting

CDC

8 May 2026

keywords: Andes Virus, Bunyavirales, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Hantaviridae, hantavirus, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, HPS, laboratory safety, zoonosis, zoonotic, Zoonotic Diseases

Human Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N5) Virus

New England Journal of Medicine

7 May 2026

First peer-reviewed report of H5N5 human infection in a 75-year-old immunocompromised patient. Nasal swab RT-PCR was initially negative; confirmed only via deep sequencing. This has direct implications for laboratory workers: standard influenza diagnostic assays may miss novel subtypes in immunocompromised patients. Biosafety officers should review subtype-specific testing protocols and PPE for novel subtype specimen processing.

keywords: deep sequencing, diagnostic failure, H5N5 human, Influenza Virus, laboratory safety, select agent, zoonotic influenza

Replication Efficiency of Contemporary Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Isolates in Human Nasal Epithelium Model

CDC / Emerging Infectious Diseases

5 May 2026

Genotype D1.1 H5N1 viruses replicate significantly more efficiently in human nasal epithelium organoids than genotype B3.13. This finding has direct biosafety implications for laboratory workers: D1.1 strains pose greater occupational infection risk and may require enhanced containment measures beyond current BSL-3 enhanced (Ag) standards. Dual-use research of concern (DURC) policies apply. Biosafety officers at labs conducting avian influenza research should review containment adequacy for D1.1 strains.

keywords: BSL-3 enhanced, DURC, genotype-specific containment, H5N1 D1.1, human nasal epithelium, Influenza Virus, laboratory safety, select agent, zoonotic influenza

Safe laboratory management of prions and proteopathic seeds

The Lancet Neurology

Mead, Simon et al.
The Lancet Neurology, Volume 20, Issue 12, 981

The UK’s Advisory Committee for Dangerous Pathogens convened a subgroup to revise guidance for safe working with prions and to consider whether any measures were needed for work with proteopathic seeds, involving experts from research laboratories for prion and other neurodegenerative diseases, infectious disease specialists, pathologists, veterinarians, and health and safety experts.

keywords: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), CWD, laboratory safety, Prion Diseases

Laboratory biosafety guidance related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Interim guidance, 11 March 2024 (NEW 4/3, Website, Regulatory)

WHO

11 March 2024

The latest update (11 March 2024) includes the following addition and revision:

depending on the local risk assessment, less stringent risk control measures for virus isolation and propagation of currently circulating strains;
biosafety aspects of waste management;
detailed considerations for transportation requirements; and
reference to the 4th edition Laboratory biosafety manual for GMPP (good microbiological practice and procedure) and to the Risk assessment monograph for the risk assessment template.

keywords: covid-19, epidemic, laboratory safety, pandemic, preparedness

Laboratory biosafety guidance related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Interim guidance, 11 March 2024 (NEW 5/10, Website, Regulatory)

World Health Organization (WHO)

11 March 2024

Provides interim guidance on laboratory biosafety related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus to laboratories and stakeholders involved in COVID-19 laboratory work. This also includes the packaging and shipment requirements for sending specimens to WHO reference laboratories providing confirmatory and other testing for COVID-19.

keywords: covid-19, laboratory safety, packaging, shipping

WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th edition (LBM4) (Website, Regulation/Guidance)

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th edition (LBM4) are available in all UN official languages and Vietnamese:

keywords: biosafety cabinet, lab design, laboratory safety, outbreak, PPE, risk assessment, WHO

Resources with keywords: laboratory safety