Biological containment facility for studying infectious disease.

To effectively characterize newly recognized viruses (Marburg, Lassa, etc.) and to study other highly virulent infections for which no effective prophylaxis or therapy exists, special containment facilities must be utilized and conventional techniques modified to minimize risk to laboratory personnel. This paper describes a laboratory suite for such studies, contained within a larger research facility; two separate biological safety cabinet systems, animal rooms support laboratories, change room facilities, shower, air lock, and other safety features are contained in the area. Details of design, construction, airflows, and equipment are described in addition to a discussion of operation, techniques, and modification of laboratory equipment utilized in actual studies.