Dengue fever is classified as a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) pathogen.
Biosafety Levels Explained
Biosafety levels are a system used to classify infectious agents based on their risk of causing disease and the level of containment required to work safely with them. There are four biosafety levels, ranging from BSL-1, the lowest risk, to BSL-4, the highest risk.
- BSL-1: Agents that are not known to cause disease in healthy adults.
- BSL-2: Agents that pose a moderate risk of causing disease, but are treatable with antibiotics or antivirals.
- BSL-3: Agents that can cause serious or potentially lethal disease, but for which there are effective treatments.
- BSL-4: Agents that cause highly dangerous and often fatal diseases for which there are no effective treatments.
Why Dengue is BSL-2
Dengue virus is classified as BSL-2 because:
- It is transmitted through mosquito bites, making it a risk to laboratory workers handling infected mosquitoes or blood samples.
- It can cause serious illness, including dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), which can be fatal.
- There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, but supportive care can help manage the symptoms.
Working Safely with Dengue
Laboratories working with dengue virus must follow strict BSL-2 protocols to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission. These protocols include:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as lab coats, gloves, and face masks.
- Biosafety cabinets to contain aerosols and prevent contamination.
- Proper handling and disposal of infected materials.
- Strict access control to the laboratory.
