H1N1 safety guidelines for the lab
With all the commotion surrounding safety and infection control recommendations for front line staff faced with the H1N1 virus, it’s easy to forget about some of the behind-the-scenes laboratory workers that will inevitably be working with the virus at some point.
On August 15 the CDC updated its interim biosafety guidelines for lab workers. This document specifies two particular updates:
- Splash protection is required for lab workers performing rapid immunoassay tests for influenza.
- For more complex procedures (such as direct or indirect florescent antibody tests, culture, or molecular assays), lab workers need to use a Class II biosafety cabinet (BSC) in a biosafety level-2 laboratory. Biosafety level-3 practices are no longer required.
Most rapid test methods include only simple steps such as inserting a swap or pipetting specimens that does not generate aerosols, which is why only splash protection is required. The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risks associated with splashing are a lab coat, gloves, eye protection, and a facemask.
Clinical laboratory viral diagnostic testing such as rapid tests involving steps that could generate aerosols, direct or indirect florescent antibody tests, growth of virus in cell culture, or embryonated eggs, molecular-based assays, and general laboratory research, need to be conducted in a BSL-2 lab, as previously mentioned.
Because lab workers are required to use a Class II BSC for these tests, the use of eye protection and a face mask is not necessary, since the cabinet already provides splash protection. However a lab coat and gloves are still required.
Finally, all personnel should self-monitor for flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Any indication of flu-like illnesses should be immediately reported to the lab director, particularly if an occupational exposure has occurred.
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