Infectious biomaterials refer to pathogens of infectious diseases, their derivatives, and materials containing the pathogen and the derivatives. To ensure the health and safety of laboratory personnel and that of the people in Taiwan, it is extremely important that facilities that possess, keep, or work with level 2 and above infectious agents implement appropriate biosafety regulations.

Looking back, laboratory contamination has been a source of infection. In 2003, the incident of laboratory-acquired SARS infection occurred.In 2004, the incident of laboratory-acquired dengue fever infection occurred.In 2006, the incident of laboratory-acquired shigellosis infection occurred.All the above-mentioned incidents were brought under control promptly, thus preventing further transmission of the diseases.On the other hand, the ongoing global spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus has been rapid because the virus is more infectious.As a result, the use and possession of the virus strain and positive specimen must consistently be handled with care.

The “Regulations Governing Management of Infectious Biological Materials and Collection of Specimens from Patients of Communicable Diseases” promulgated by the Department of Health on September 26, 2005 has been implemented since March 26, 2006. According to the regulations, facilities that possess, keep, or work with level 2 and above infectious biomaterials must either establish a biosafety committee or designate a biosafety officer that oversees biosafety at the laboratory.As of 2008, a total of 426 facilities have notified Taiwan CDC concerning their establishment of a biosafety committee or designation of a biosafety officer.Further, a total of 148 level 2 infectious biomaterials and a total of level 3 infectious biomaterials have also been reported to Taiwan CDC.

In response to the possible secondary epidemic of influenza A (H1N1) in the coming fall/winter, research institutes and vaccine manufacturers in Taiwan have begun to work on the research and development of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.Hence, Taiwan CDC urges the biosafety committees at these institutes and manufacturing facilities to make sure appropriate biosafety regulations are implemented properly in order to ensure the safety of the laboratory personnel and prevent laboratory-acquired infection from occurring again.