News and Announcements

Zika Virus

3/2/2016

What is the Risk Assessment?

Zika virus was discovered in 1947 but has emerged as a pathogen of interest due to the impact it is having on many people across the Americas.  With the increased drive for an effective treatment, Zika virus research will be increasing in many laboratories.  The biosafety risk assessment will be important to guide safe work practices for researchers who have not previously worked with this agent.  Zika virus is listed in the BMBL as a risk group 2 agent and is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes but has also been shown to be sexually transmitted.  Zika virus causes a mild illness in about 1 in 5 people who are infected.  Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, or conjunctivitis. Pregnant woman infected with Zika virus can pass the virus to her fetus. In some cases, a serious birth defect called microcephaly has been reported in babies of mothers who had Zika while pregnant.  It is important that all information about risks is communicated to the workforce and biosafety committees so that informed choices are made.  While scientists rush to help stop the spread of this virus and find new treatment strategies, safety remains an important consideration.

More biosafety guidance on transportation and laboratory work with Zika virus can be found on the CDC website;  http://www.cdc.gov/zika/state-labs/biosafety-guidance.html.  

OSHA and NIOSH has recently issued a detailed fact sheet; Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Occupational Exposure to Zika Virus

Reference:  Edited from ABSA International Blog at http://www.absa.org.