Appendix 4
Summary of Current Regulations for the Safe Transport of Materials Containing infectious FMD Virus by Air Update Version: October 2004 Table of contents 1. Introduction 2. Transport planning 3. Requirements for laboratories handling and possessing FMD virus 4. Collection and transportation of specimens for vesicular virus investigation to World Reference Laboratory for FMD 4.1. Instructions for collection and packaging of specimens 4.2. Appendix 1 - 5 5. IATA regulations concerning the Transport of FMDV by Air 5.1. Packaging for Infectious Substances 5.2. Marking and labeling the package 5.3. Documentation of the Transport 5.4. Marking and labeling of the outer package DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for guidance purposes only. Since the regulatory situation changes over time and from country to country, the reader is referred to the information sources listed below for updates and to verify technical information. FAO does not accept responsibility for completeness or accuracy of the text and in relation to any claims arising out of the application of these guidelines. 1. Introduction These instructions relate to the transport of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) containing materials, and stress the importance of a working relationship between the groups involved – the Sender, the Carrier and the Receiver – in order to provide for the safe transport. The packaging of FMD virus specimens must be designed to minimize the potential risk for damage during transport. Any un-controlled escape of the infectious material may be the source of a new epidemic. The international regulations for the transport of infectious materials by any mode of transport are based upon the Recommendations of the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN). The International Air Transport association (IATA) has also incorporated the UN Recommendations. This document provides practical guidance to facilitate compliance with the 44th Edition of IATA Dangerous Goods regulations. These regulations are updated on a regular basis and the reader is referred to: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/dangerous_goods for further information. Furthermore, the instructions prepared by IAH Pirbright Laboratory Experts for collection and transportation of specimens for vesicular virus investigation was also considered. The following references were used to prepare these Instructions: 1. R.P. Kitching and A.I. Donaldson: Collection and transportation of specimens for vesicular virus investigation. Rev. sci. tech. Off. Int. Epiz, 1987, 6 (1), 263-272 2. Dangerous Goods. Guidelines for the transport of infectious substances and diagnostic/clinical specimens by air. 44th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation. EBSA Sixth Annual Conference, Lyon, France, 15-16 May 2003 3. Guidelines for the safe transport of Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens. WHO/EMC/97.3 4. OIE, Manual of Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines 2004. 5. OIE, Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2004.
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