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Review
11.
Human safety in veterinary microbiology laboratory -
B P Shankar, H S Madhusudhan, D B Harish
Vet World. 2009; 2(3): 113-117
doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2009.113-117
Abstract
Laboratory
work should be carried out with a minimum of risk to the health
of the staff working in laboratory. This requires careful
consideration of the risks involved in a particular procedure,
followed by appropriate measures to minimise the risk of human
disease. This concerned exclusively with risks from infectious
agents, but physical and chemical injuries in microbiology
laboratories must also be prevented. Risks from infection are
reduced by good laboratory techniques and secured facilities
which aid in the containment of pathogens. It is important to
understand that containment of pathogens can be used for
preventing disease in humans and animals. Often the same methods
of containment are used for both preventing laboratory-acquired
infection in humans and for preventing escape of pathogens that
could cause an outbreak of animal disease. Although the methods,
techniques and facilities required may be the same, the list of
pathogens and categorization into levels of risk will differ
depending on whether it is human or animal disease control that
is the primary objective. Existing national and international
reference laboratories have considerable experience in the
operation of safe working practices and provision of appropriate
facilities. When new laboratories are being established, it
would be prudent to seek advice from the competent authorities
at established institutes and it is important to comply with
legislative requirements.
Keywords:
Safety, Laboratory, Microbiology, Veterinary, Pathogen,
Infectious Material, Diagnosis, Physical Hazard, Chemical
Hazard.
