Diagnostic lab work on clinical samples from patients who are suspected cases of this 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 in suspected cases of H1N1 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, and eye protection (goggles or face shields).

All waste disposal procedures should be followed as outlined in the facility standard laboratory operating procedures, including appropriate disinfectants, 70 percent ethanol, 5 percent Lysol and 10 percent bleach.

All personnel should monitor themselves for fever and any symptoms such as cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, runny nose, and muscle aches. Any illness should be reported to the lab worker’s 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 H1N1, antiviral chemoprophylaxis with zanamivir or oseltamivir for 7 days after exposure can be considered.

For additional information, see: ––Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th Edition Section IV Laboratory Biosafety Level Criteria: www.cdc.gov/OD/ohs/biosfty/bmbl5/bmbl5toc.htm. ––www.cdc.gov/swineflu.