TOPIC 2 (RISK GROUPS) Flashcards
What are the characteristics (risk and description) of the four Risk Groups?
1, Risk Group 1 (no or low individual and community risk): microorganisms that are unlikely to cause human or animal disease
2, Risk Group 2 (moderate individual risk, low community risk): pathogens that can cause human or animal disease, but are unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers, the community, livestock or the environment. Effective treatment and preventive measures are available. The risk of spread of infection is limited
3, Risk Group 3 (high individual risk, low community risk): pathogens that usually cause serious human or animal disease but do not ordinarily spread from one infected individual to another. Effective treatment and preventive measures are available
4, Risk Group 4 (high individual risk, high community risk): pathogens that usually cause serious human or animal disease and can be readily transmitted from one individual to another, either directly or indirectly. Effective treatment and preventive measures are not usually available
Named 2 examples for each risk group
1, RG1 –> escherichia coli K12, lactobacillus spp.
2, RG2 –> hepatitis B virus, dengue virus
3, RG3 –> human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza virus
4, RG4 –> Ebola virus, smallpox virus
Can the categorisation of microorganisms/pathogens in risk groups differ from country to country? Provide examples
Yes, it can. For example, in Southeast Asian countries, the dengue virus may be classified in a lower risk group (Singapore –> RG2) as it is common, but in western countries, it may be classified in a higher risk group as it is rarer
Where are the RG Schedules from?
The RG schedules are from the Biological Agents and Toxins Act (BATA), which is a law that governs the use of biological agents and toxins in Singapore
What are the RG Schedules?
First Schedule: Risk Group 3 Second Schedule: Risk Group 4 Third Schedule: Risk Group 2 (more than 10L) Fourth Schedule: Risk Group 2 Fifth Schedule: Microbial Toxins
What are the routes of exposure? (4)
1, Inhalation
2, Contact
3, Injection/Inoculation
4, Ingestion
1, What are the routes of transmission (2)?
2, How can pathogens be transmitted?
3, What is the most common route of exposure?
4, Examples?
(1) Bloodborne
(2) Pathogens are found in blood
(3) The most common route of exposure of bloodborne pathogens is inoculation
(4) Eg: HIV, hepatitis B
(1) Airborne
(2) Pathogens are discharged in aerosols from an infected person via coughing/sneezing OR suspended in air on dust particles and droplets
(3) The most common route of exposure of airborne pathogens is inhalation
(4) Eg: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza virus
What is the use of the laboratory biosafety manual?
The laboratory biosafety manual emphasises the use of good microbiological work practices, appropriate containment equipment, proper facility design, operation and maintenance and administrative considerations to minimise the risk of worker injury or illness –> therefore, the risk to the environment and the surrounding community-at-large is minimised
What is the difference between biosafety and biosecurity? (Definitions)
- Biosafety is used to describe the containment principles, technologies and practices that are implemented in order to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins or their accidental release
- Biosecurity is used to describe institutional and personal security measures designed to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of pathogens and toxins
What is the difference between biosafety and biosecurity? (How their measures should be prepared)
- Biosafety measures should be prepared in a way that represents the institution’s various needs. They should include input from scientific directors, principal investigators, biosafety officers, laboratory scientific staff, maintenance staff, administrators, information technology staff, law enforcement agencies and security staff
- Biosecurity measures should be prepared and implemented according to the requirements of each facility, the type of laboratory work conducted and the local conditions
(1) What should the biosecurity programme be based on?
(2) What should the biosecurity programme include?
(1) The biosecurity programme should be based on a comprehensive programme of accountability of pathogens and toxins.
(2) The biosecurity programme should include an updated inventory which includes storage location of pathogens and toxins, identification of personnel with access, description of uses, documentation of internal and external transfers within and between facilities and any inactivation and/or disposal of materials
What is the purpose of establishing biosafety protocols?
Establishing biosafety protocols is necessary for identifying, reporting, investigating and remediating breaches in laboratory biosecurity (eg, discrepancies in inventory results)
(1) Who should be provided training for biosecurity and why?
(2) What should biosecurity training involve?
(1) All personnel should be provided biosecurity training. This is so that all personnel are able to understand the need for protection of such materials and the rationale for specific biosecurity measures.
(2) Biosecurity training involves a review of relevant national standards and institution-specific procedures which describe security roles and responsibilities of personnel in the event of a security infraction
What are the ways biosafety and biosecurity complement each other? (7)
(1) Risk assessment/risk management
(2) Good laboratory practices
(3) Emergency plans
(4) Incident/Accident reporting
(5) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
(6) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
(7) Training
Explain how biosafety and biosecurity complement each other in terms of good laboratory practices.
Good laboratory practices, which enhances biosafety, can deter people from stealing from or sabotaging the laboratory, which enhances biosecurity
