Assessment of the Biorisk Status of Veterinary Laboratories in Southwest Nigeria: Application of the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module

Abstract

Introduction: Because of the nature of work conducted in veterinary laboratories and potential exposures to pathogenic microorganisms, good laboratory practices, risk assessments, biosafety, and biosecurity capacity is becoming vital. In this study, the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool–Safety Module was applied to demonstrate its practical implementation in the assessment of biosafety and biosecurity statuses of veterinary laboratories in Nigeria. Methods: The Laboratory Mapping Tool–Safety Module, a standardized questionnaire, systematically and semiquantitatively gathered data on 98 subcategories covering 4 areas of biosafety and biosecurity capabilities: administrative, operational, engineering, and personal protective equipment. Results: Overall, the various areas and categories covered by the Laboratory Mapping Tool–Safety Module were weak across the board, with a mean performance of 19.5% (95% confidence interval, 14.0%-25.1%; range, 0.8%-29.6%). The weakest functionality was in emergency preparedness (0.8%; ie, emergency responses and exercises such as fire drills, spill cleanup, and biological spill kit availability). Also, many laboratories were deficient in metrology procedures, biosafety cabinets, chemical hazard containment, regular maintenance and external calibration procedures for laboratory equipment, and personnel health and safety. However, a few functionalities within individual laboratories scored above average (50%), for example, a university microbiology laboratory animal facility (100%). Interlaboratory comparison indicated that biosafety and biosecurity performance was similar across laboratories ( P = .07) and did not vary by location ( P = .37). Conclusions: Significant biosafety and biosecurity improvements are needed to guarantee the health and safety of workers and the global community, efficient responses to infectious disease containment, and compliance with the Global Health Security Agenda.

The Role of the Biosafety Cabinet in Preventing Infection in the Clinical Laboratory

“…Continual maintenance and certification are needed to guarantee the best performance and safety. Regular filter replacement, airflow monitoring, and certification by trained experts help spot and resolve problems that can risk the containment capabilities of the BSC [ 34 ]. When handling hazardous materials within the BSC, proper disinfection procedures are crucial.…”

Assessment of the National Veterinary Laboratory System Capacity for the Detection of Infectious Threats to Global Health Security in Benin

“…Efforts in the laboratory's quality approach should be strengthened in line with the recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health [7,20,21]. Biorisk measures especially biosecurity must be strengthened [1,13,22]. The VL sector requires large-scale correctives interventions to ensure that its performance will appropriately prevent zoonotic threats in humans.…”

“…The lack of collaboration and networking of national VL can also explains the insufficient performance of the system. In fact, existence of resilient laboratory networks has been shown to facilitate the pooling of resources and the achievement of objectives [1,24]. But, the two laboratories were not collaborating.…”

“…Veterinary Laboratories (VL) are an essential component of Global Health Security (GHS). They are vital for the detection of zoonotic diseases, in food safety, and in the production and development of vaccines and therapeutic strategies for both humans and animals [1]. Their role and importance are growing in response to the increasing of emerging and reemerging infectious and zoonotic diseases [2].…”