Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity during Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

Effective patient care and the advancement of public health heavily depend on timely and accurate laboratory testing. These tests provide critical information for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases, as well as for guiding public health interventions. However, one of the significant challenges faced by clinical laboratory professionals is the inherent uncertainty about the infectious nature of the patient specimens they handle. Since laboratory personnel often do not know if a sample contains harmful pathogens, maintaining stringent biosafety standards becomes a complex yet essential task. This uncertainty necessitates the implementation of rigorous protocols to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious agents, ensuring both the safety of the laboratory staff and the integrity of the testing process. Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity are essential to minimize the risk of pathogen release, prevent laboratory-acquired infections, and ensure the safe handling of infectious agents. This review examines the principles, and advancements in biosafety and biosecurity practices during infectious disease outbreaks, focusing on emerging and re-emerging pathogens.