Biological Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation and training, for research at UC Berkeley that involves the use of recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials and biological toxins.

Biological Spill Kit Instructions

Chips (Toan) Hoai
2016
When a biological spill occurs Alert people in the immediate area. Check yourself for contamination. Assess the situation: Are you wearing all of the necessary PPE to clean this spill? Cover the spill and the area around the spill with absorbent material. Pour freshly made 10% bleach on absorbent materials in a spiral motion, starting from the outside of the spill working your way into the center. Allow a 20-minute contact period. Wipe down any contaminated stationary equipment or furniture with an appropriate disinfectant. Use forceps, tongs, or broom to remove...

West Nile Virus

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2004

West Nile (WN) virus originated in remote areas of Africa, Asia, eastern Europe, and the Middle East. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus was first detected in the United States in New York City in 1999. Usually people and animals that are infected with the virus show no symptoms or suffer only mild illness. In rare cases, the virus can cause a more serious condition called encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which can be fatal. Individuals over the age of 50 have the highest risk for encephalitis caused by WN virus.

Guidelines for Handling Animal Reservoirs of Hantaviruses

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2005

These guidelines are based on practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in areas known to have produced fatal human cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). The guidelines have been modified by the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) to address fieldwork in areas of undefined risk, and to educate employees on how best to protect against hantavirus infection in the field. The guidelines are reissued as additional information about fieldwork practices and the epidemiology of hantaviruses becomes available.