International standards have been elaborated for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity in
relation to work on both human and animal pathogens. Comparing the findings from the two
official reports (HSE, 2007; Spratt, 2007) regarding the 2007 Foot-and-Mouth Disease
outbreak in the United Kingdom (UK) with these international standards highlights several
areas of deficiency in biosafety and biosecurity standards in laboratory facilities and in
national guidance and procedures, suggesting that had the international standards been
fully applied, the outbreak would not have occurred.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (2007). Final report on potential breaches of biosecurity at the
Pirbright site. England: Health
and Safety Executive. Available at: www.hse.gov.uk/news/archive/07aug/finalreport.pdf. Accessed online 2009.
Office International des Epizooties
(OIE). (2004). Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for
terrestrial animals (5th ed.).
Paris: OIE.
6.
Office International des Epizooties
(OIE). (Updated 27 July 2006). Internal rules for
reference laboratories. Paris: OIE. Available at: www.oie.int/eng/OIE/organisation/en_reglementLR.htm. Accessed online 2009.
7.
Office International des Epizooties
(OIE). (2007). Terrestrial animal health code (16th ed.). Paris: OIE.
8.
Office International des Epizooties
(OIE). (2008). Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for
terrestrial animals (6th ed.).
Paris: OIE. Available at: www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_summry.htm. Accessed online 2009.
9.
SprattB.
G. (31 August 2007).
Independent (Spratt) review of the safety of UK facilities handling
Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus. London: Defra. Available at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/pdf/spratt_final.pdf. Accessed online 2009.
