About Pre conference course B - Applied Biosafety in One Health Surveillance: From Animal Field Sampling to Mobile Laboratory Diagnostics of Highly Pathogenic Viruses
EBSA course
Pre conference course B - Applied Biosafety in One Health Surveillance: From Animal Field Sampling to Mobile Laboratory Diagnostics of Highly Pathogenic Viruses
Instructors
Karin Darpel (DE) and Sophie Duraffour (DE)
When outbreaks of high-consequence viral pathogens emerge, rapid diagnostic and research activities are often pushed to the front lines - directly into the field, at the heart of the epidemic. But what biosafety precautions are essential in these high-stakes environments, and how can they be effectively applied under demanding, real-world conditions?
Outbreaks can erupt anywhere - on farms, in disaster zones, remote rural communities, or densely populated cities - each posing distinct biosafety and biosecurity challenges. Ensuring safe operations in such varied environments requires adaptability and sound risk assessment. The level of containment, type of pathogen (e.g., risk group 3 or 4), transmission route, and host range all determine the measures needed to protect public, animal, and environmental health. In many cases, these challenges demand the deployment of laboratory capacity directly into the field. Mobile laboratories have become an indispensable tool in modern outbreak response, as demonstrated during crises such as Ebola virus disease and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working safely in the field is not without its complexities. Teams must navigate diverse sampling contexts - from capturing birds for avian influenza surveillance to collecting animal or environmental specimens - all while maintaining personnel safety, managing sample transport, ensuring proper containment during on-site analysis, and handling infectious waste in locations with limited infrastructure.
Join us for an immersive 2-day pre-conference seminar hosted by the European Biosafety Association (EBSA) on Field Biosafety Perspectives in the One Health Context. This hands-on course is designed for professionals at beginner to intermediate levels and offers practical insights into applied biosafety - from safe field sampling of different species to the setup and operation of mobile laboratories during viral outbreaks of veterinary, zoonotic, and public health significance.
Led by experienced field scientists who have implemented stringent biosafety principles in challenging outbreak settings, this interactive workshop provides a rare opportunity to translate theory into practice. Participation is limited to 20 attendees to ensure an engaging, high-impact learning experience.
Day 1: Theoretical Foundations and practical set up
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Understand the core principles and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with a special focus on its application during zoonotic field sampling.
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Apply fundamental biosafety concepts - including risk zoning (clean and dirty areas), movement control, cross-contamination prevention, and waste management - to various field settings such as farms and wildlife sampling sites.
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Gain practical insights into sample handling, covering essential steps for sample reception and packaging, as well as appropriate PPE and biosafety measures when working with highly pathogenic viruses.
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Explore the role and design of mobile laboratories used in public health emergencies and outbreak responses.
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Learn the key steps and safety considerations for setting up and operating a mobile laboratory, including the establishment of clean and dirty areas, secure sample reception workflows, and containment measures such as negative-pressure gloveboxes.
Day 2: Practical Application
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Gain hands-on experience in donning and doffing various types of PPE, essential for conducting safe and effective fieldwork across different settings.
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Take part in setting up a mobile glovebox, purpose-built for field operations involving high-risk pathogens such as Ebola or Lassa viruses.
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Practice sample reception and glovebox techniques through realistic field simulation exercises.
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Work collaboratively with peers and instructors to strengthen understanding and apply biosafety principles in practical scenarios.
Key Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and select appropriate PPE and equipment for a range of field activities, including veterinary and zoonotic sampling.
- Apply key biosafety principles-such as defining clean and dirty zones and managing waste-across diverse field settings.
- Understand the fundamentals of mobile laboratory operations and their role in supporting public health responses.
- Demonstrate competence in organizing clean and dirty areas within a mobile laboratory environment.
- Recognize critical aspects of sample reception and handling, with an emphasis on biosafety measures and PPE use.
- Gain hands-on experience in donning and doffing different types of PPE used in field and laboratory contexts.
- Develop practical skills in assembling and operating a field-deployable glovebox for the safe handling of high-risk pathogens.
- Collaborate effectively with peers and instructors to apply theoretical concepts in realistic, field-based scenarios.
Join us for this unique, practice-oriented training to deepen your understanding of field biosafety and mobile laboratory operations. Strengthen your confidence and competence in responding to research and public health challenges where safe, adaptable fieldwork is essential.
Main topics:
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Zoonotic Sampling: Overview of different PPE types and their appropriate selection for various field activities.
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Applying Core Biosafety Principles: Implementation of key concepts such as clean and dirty zones, risk area management, controlled movement, and waste handling across diverse field environments.
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Introduction to Mobile Laboratories: Fundamental concepts and requirements for mobile lab operations in public health and research, with emphasis on human and zoonotic diagnostics.
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Type II Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories: Structure, function, and deployment for the diagnosis of high-risk pathogens in outbreak situations.
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Biosafety in Mobile Laboratory Operations: Step-by-step guidance and practical experience in safe lab setup, equipment use, and implementation of biosafety procedures throughout all operational stages - including sample reception, inactivation and containment work, adherence to SOPs, workflow organization, decontamination, and waste management.
7.2.1.1 Scientific and technial understanding