08 Sep 2025
Inside high-containment labs: Protecting scientists from lab-acquired infections with high-risk viruses
Behind the many sealed doors of high-containment laboratories, scientists work with some of the world’s most dangerous viruses for research and diagnostic activities. To protect them from the rare risk of laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs), strict safety protocols and layers of security are in place.
High-containment laboratories, such as the National High Security Quarantine Laboratory (NHSQL) at the Doherty Institute, managed by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), are among the most secure laboratories in the world. Designed to safely handle pathogens that pose the highest risk to human health, the NHSQL is one of a few physical containment level 4 (PC4) laboratories in Australia, where scientists conduct diagnostic testing for high-consequence pathogens, including those causing viral haemorrhagic fever.
Researchers at the Doherty Institute recently published one of the most comprehensive reviews on preventing and managing LAIs caused by high-risk viruses, providing practical guidance for clinical care and pandemic preparedness.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Dr Grace Butel-Simoes, Microbiology Registrar and Dr Michael Moso, Infectious Diseases Research Fellow at VIDRL at the Doherty Institute, both co-first authors of the paper published in the Clinical Microbiology Reviews (CMR), described the review as “a Single Source of Truth”. Drawing on more than 280 publications, the review evaluated the evidence for existing viral LAI prevention strategies, including vaccinations, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and follow-up procedures in case of exposure.
“Exposure can occur through inhalation, splashes, needlesticks, animal contact or ingestion, and often the exact route is unknown,’’ said Dr Butel-Simoes.
“That’s why infection prevention depends on strict safety procedures, from rigorous training and personal protective equipment (PPE), to biosafety cabinets and, when required, prophylaxis treatments. This review brings the available evidence together to guide when vaccines, antivirals or antibodies are needed, and what monitoring or escalation should follow.”
The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Dr Chuan Kok Lim, Medical Virologist and Director of VIDRL at the Doherty Institute, and senior author of the paper, said while LAIs are rare, stringent measures to protect scientists from high-risk LAIs are critical.
“With global research on high-risk viruses expanding, protecting the people who work with these pathogens is fundamental public health infrastructure,” said Dr Lim.
“Our goal is to provide clear, clinician-ready guidance now, while helping set the agenda for stronger evidence in the future.”
The review outlines prevention and management strategies for more than 20 high-risk viruses, including Ebola virus, Lassa virus and Nipah virus. By consolidating scattered evidence into a single resource, the authors hope to strengthen protections for scientists worldwide while ensuring vital research and public health work can continue safely.
Contact
Aline Riche (she/her)
Senior Communications and Media Officer
P +61 3 8344 1911
doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
792 Elizabeth Street | Melbourne | Victoria | Australia | 3000
doherty.edu.au
Source: https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/protecting-scientists-from-lab-acquired-infections-with-high-risk-viruses
"Reproduced with permission - The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity"
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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