CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers
Swine Flu
Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Biosafety Guidelines
for Laboratory Workers
This guidance is for laboratory workers who may be processing or performing diagnostic testing on clinical
specimens from patients with suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, or performing viral isolation.
Diagnostic laboratory work on clinical samples from patients who are suspected cases of swine influenza A
(H1N1) virus infection should be conducted in a BSL2 laboratory. All sample manipulations should be done
inside a biosafety cabinet (BSC).
Viral isolation on clinical specimens from patients who are suspected cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection should be performed in a BSL2 laboratory with BSL3 practices (enhanced BSL2 conditions).
Additional precautions include:
● Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (based on site specific risk assessment )
● Respiratory protection – fit-tested N95 respirator or higher level of protection.
● Shoe covers
● Closed-front gown
● Double gloves
● Eye protection (goggles or face shields)
Waste
● All waste disposal procedures should be followed as outlined in your facility standard laboratory
operating procedures.
Appropriate disinfectants
● 70% Ethanol
● 5% Lysol
● 10% Bleach
All personnel should self monitor for fever and any symptoms. Symptoms of swine influenza infection include
cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, runny nose, and muscle aches. Any illness should be
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_labworkers.htm (1 of 2) [4/25/2009 4:27:03 PM]
CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratory Workers
reported to your supervisor immediately.
For personnel who had unprotected exposure or a known breach in personal protective equipment to clinical
material or live virus from a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1), antiviral chemoprophylaxis with
zanamivir or oseltamivir for 7 days after exposure can be considered.
For additional information, please see: antiviral treatment and chemoprophylaxis guidance.
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition Section IV Laboratory Biosafety
Level Criteria
File Formas Help:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
How do you view different file formats(PDF, DOC, PPT, MPEG) on this site?
● Page last reviewed April 24, 2009
● Page last updated April 24, 2009
● Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_labworkers.htm (2 of 2) [4/25/2009 4:27:03 PM]