PHLN Publications
Laboratory precautions for samples collected from patients with suspected viral haemorrhagic fevers
The purpose of these guidelines is to allow the necessary on-site testing for other possible causes of the illness, and other testing required for the immediate and ongoing management of the patient.
Communicable Diseases Surveillance
Public Health Laboratory Network
Prepared by Communicable Diseases Network Australia and the Public Health Laboratory Network
Published by Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
March 2002/September 2005
Synopsis
The viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) group of diseases comprises Lassa fever (LF), Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever, Ebola and Marburg virus infections. Testing for VHFs is still only performed within Australia at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, as it requires the culture of these dangerous pathogens.The Public Health Laboratory Network undertook to produce a set of guidelines Laboratory precautions for samples collected from patients with suspected viral haemorrhagic fevers that allows processing of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) samples in laboratories with Biosafety level 3 facilities or, if absolutely necessary, in those with only biosafety level 2 facilities. The purpose of the guidelines is to allow the necessary on-site testing for other possible causes of the illness, and other testing required for the immediate and ongoing management of the patient.
Please note:
The full document was initially written and published in March 2002.
Part A has been amended and republished in September 2005
Part B remains unchanged.
The guidelines consist of:
If you are unable to download this file please Email: cdi.editor@health.gov.au
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