Biosafety level 4 (BL4) laboratory training program

Lee Hyun, Park Min Woo, Choi Yeon Hwa, Kim Ju Sim
Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response, KCDC

Background: Biosafety level 4 (BL4) facilities are the highest-leveled laboratories to handle the most deadly pathogens with no available vaccines or therapies such as Ebola virus, Lassa virus. In order to ensure the safe operation of BL4 facilities, redundant biosafety features, well -established standard operation procedures, and qualified and highly skilled workforce are required.
Present condition: In recent years, outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism threats have created an increased international demand for well-constructed BL4 facilities and highly skilled personnel. These are essential to strengthen national capacity to effectively respond to an infectious disease-related emergency. Hence, in 2014, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention completed the construction of Biosafety Laboratory Complex including the only BL4 laboratory in Korea that is one of the few in Asia. This BL4 facility has been operating since 2016, and has successfully been carrying out its critical roles in national preparedness against health threats. To meet the educational requirement for BL4 laboratory work, a specialized BL4 training program was designed and developed for researchers and operational staffs based on biosafety guidelines in consideration of the laboratory environment. The program is composed of three elements including an initial assessment, a training course (theories, practices, mentorship), and a periodic reassessment.
Future perspective: This article aims to provide strategies for establishing an effective BL4 training program. The proposed framework could be applied to the training of workers in facilities of other biosafety level.