Biocontainment Units: Moving to the Next Phase of Evolution

Mark G Kortepeter; Theodore J Cieslak

doi:10.1089/hs.2018.0095

Biocontainment Units: Moving to the Next Phase of Evolution

Health Secur. 2019 Jan/Feb;17(1):74-76. doi: 10.1089/hs.2018.0095. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Authors

Mark G Kortepeter¹, Theodore J Cieslak²

Affiliations

¹ Mark G. Kortepeter, MD, MPH, is Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska.
² Theodore J. Cieslak, MD, MPH, is Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Co-Medical Director, Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska.

PMID: 30724617
DOI: 10.1089/hs.2018.0095

Abstract

The concept and belief in the idea of "biocontainment" has undergone significant evolution during the past 20 years. The authors believe that the time is right to move to the next phase of this evolution to reassess establishment of formal standards for what constitutes a biocontainment unit and what diseases might be considered for admission to a biocontainment unit.

Keywords: Biocontainment; Containment care; Ebola; Infectious diseases; Lassa; Marburg.

MeSH terms

Containment of Biohazards / methods*
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
Hospital Design and Construction / methods*
Humans
Infection Control / methods*