Esco provides specialized equipment to protect laboratory personnel during the manipulation of H5N1 avian influenza and other infectious diseases. In these laboratory operations, the primary containment device is typically a Class II or III biological safety cabinet. Esco offers a complete range of biological safety cabinets certified to all major international standards in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia. During the SARS crisis in 2003, Esco biological safety cabinets were installed in large quantities on short notice in major disease control centres in China and other countries.

With appropriate laboratory design, conditions and operating procedures, Esco biosafety cabinets are suitable for work up to Biosafety Level (BSL) 4. BSL 4 includes exotic agents such as the Ebola and Marburg viruses which have no known cure. Many of the world's leading infectious diseases research institutions, CDCs, hospitals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are current users of Esco biological safety cabinets.

The following extract published by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) details biosafety requirements for laboratory work involving H5N1 avian influenza:

"Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) is classified as a select agent and must be worked with under Biosafety Level (BSL) 3+ laboratory conditions. This includes controlled access double door entry with change room and shower, use of respirators, decontamination of all wastes, and showering out of all personnel. Laboratories working on these viruses must be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The same BSL 3+ laboratory guidelines are recommended for conducting virus isolation for SARS-associated coronavirus. CDC recommends that virus isolation studies on respiratory specimens from patients who meet the above criteria not be conducted unless stringent BSL 3+ conditions can be met. Therefore, respiratory virus cultures should not be performed in most clinical laboratories and such cultures should not be ordered for patients suspected of having H5N1 infection."

The recent threat of a global flu pandemic has directly contributed to a rise in laboratory research and testing involving the use of biological safety containment equipment. The large range of laboratory ventilated devices available on the market has lead to occasional confusion between different types of safety equipment, and a mis-understanding of international standards and validation requirements.

As part of our efforts to contribute to the community, Esco works with trade bodies, associations and societies to jointly organize programs to spearhead biosafety awareness and the proper use of biosafety cabinets. Participants of our programs include laboratory scientists, safety officers, industrial hygienists, facilities managers and biosafety professionals.

The following web links contain useful information about avian influenza and general biological safety principles and practices:

WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) - Avian Influenza
U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Safety & Health Administration "Guidance For Protecting Workers Against Avian Flu"
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Avian Influenza Information
WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual 2nd edition
CDC - Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 4th Edition
Belgian Biosafety Server