End-users should note that the Risk Group (RG) assigned to each product in the EVAg catalogue relates to the national regulation of the supplying institute. Please be aware there will be differing RG controls from country to country for certain viruses. EVAg's responsibility only extends as far as the international border between supplier and recipient. It is the responsibility of the recipient laboratory to confirm to EVAg that appropriate BSL facilities and trained personnel will be available to ensure the safe receipt of all viral products supplied from the EVAg catalogue.
This risk group classification is to be used for laboratory work only, as defined by the WHO laboratory biosafety manual.
Risk Group 1 (no or low individual and community risk) A microorganism that is unlikely to cause human or animal disease.
Risk Group 2 (moderate individual risk, low community risk) A pathogen that can cause human or animal disease but is unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory workers, the community, livestock or the environment. Laboratory exposures may cause serious infection, but effective treatment and preventive measures are available and the risk of spread of infection is limited.
Risk Group 3 (high individual risk, low community risk) A pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease but does not ordinarily spread from one infected individual to another. Effective treatment and preventive measures are available.
Risk Group 4 (high individual and community risk) A pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease and that can be readily transmitted from one individual to another, directly or indirectly. Effective treatment and preventive measures are not usually available.
Laboratory facilities are designated as:
Basic – Biosafety Level 1 (BSL1),
Basic – Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2),
Containment – Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3),
Maximum containment – Biosafety Level 4 (BSL4).
Biosafety level designations are based on a composite of the design features, construction, containment facilities, equipment, practices and operational procedures required for working with agents from the various risk groups.