BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT FOR AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF) LABORATORIES AND ANIMAL FACILITIES : THE ITALIAN CHALLENGE IN BRIDGING THE PRESENT REGULATORY GAP AND ANHANCING BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY MEASURES
BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT FOR AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF) LABORATORIES AND ANIMAL FACILITIES : THE ITALIAAuthors Pavone S, Iscaro C, Giammarioli M, Beato M S, Righi C, Petrini S, Costarelli S, Feliziani F
Abstract The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family, Asfivirus genus. It is responsible for massive losses in pig populations and drastic direct and indirect economic impacts. The ever-growing handling of ASFV pathological material in laboratories, necessary for either diagnostic or research activities, requires particular attention to avoid accidental virus release from laboratories and its detrimental economic and environmental effects. Recently, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 repealed the Commission Decision of 26 May 2003 reporting an ASF diagnostic manual (2003/422/EC) with the minimum and supplementary requirements for ASF laboratories. This decision generated a regulatory gap that has not been addressed yet. This paper aims to describe the Italian National Reference Laboratory (NRL) efforts to develop an effective and reliable biological containment tool for ASF laboratories and animal facilities. The tool consists of comprehensive and harmonized structural and procedural requirements for ASF laboratories and animal facilities that have been developed based on both current and repealed legislation, further entailing a risk assessment and internal audit as indispensable tools to design, adjust, and improve biological containment measures.
Publish Date 2024
Volume 14
ISSN 2076-2615
DOI doi.org/10.3390/ani14030454
URL https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/3/454
Journal Animals [This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosecuring Animal Populations]
Pages art. 454
PMID 38338097
Authors Pavone S, Iscaro C, Giammarioli M, Beato M S, Righi C, Petrini S, Costarelli S, Feliziani F
Abstract The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family, Asfivirus genus. It is responsible for massive losses in pig populations and drastic direct and indirect economic impacts. The ever-growing handling of ASFV pathological material in laboratories, necessary for either diagnostic or research activities, requires particular attention to avoid accidental virus release from laboratories and its detrimental economic and environmental effects. Recently, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 repealed the Commission Decision of 26 May 2003 reporting an ASF diagnostic manual (2003/422/EC) with the minimum and supplementary requirements for ASF laboratories. This decision generated a regulatory gap that has not been addressed yet. This paper aims to describe the Italian National Reference Laboratory (NRL) efforts to develop an effective and reliable biological containment tool for ASF laboratories and animal facilities. The tool consists of comprehensive and harmonized structural and procedural requirements for ASF laboratories and animal facilities that have been developed based on both current and repealed legislation, further entailing a risk assessment and internal audit as indispensable tools to design, adjust, and improve biological containment measures.
Publish Date 2024
Volume 14
ISSN 2076-2615
DOI doi.org/10.3390/ani14030454
URL https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/3/454
Journal Animals [This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosecuring Animal Populations]
Pages art. 454
PMID 38338097