Title: APPLICATION OF MOBILE LABORATORIES FOR EPIDEMOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES FIELD INTERVENTIONS
By our dearly lost friend, Dr.Dan.Butur, National Institute for Research and Development in Microbiology and Immunology "Cantacuzino", Bucharest , Romania and T.Basch, Orlando Systems Inc/LLC, USA
Background: Increased Epidemiological appearances with high virulence danger (SARS, Asian flues, Bioterror Agents, etc) requires increased intervention mobility directly in the infected areas, while respecting Biosafety rules and protecting fixed labs and facilities
Functions: To assist in early and reliable diagnosis, investigate outbreaks of disease, collect reliable surveillance data for effective disease control, participate to immunization national programmes, control the quality of water and food, control the environmental pollution and its hazards and, if possible, monitor the various vertical national health programmes. One of the special tasks of Mobile laboratory is to participate to the control of bioterrorism - diagnosis and collection of specimens from area concerned by bioterrorism. The level of the Mobile laboratory must be equivalent in the "standard version"to the Peripheral laboratory, and in its "expanded version" to the Intermediate laboratory. Usage of Rapid Tests in the Mobile peripheral laboratories will allow prompt patient management and better disease surveillance as primary health care. Identifiable diseases: SARS, HIV, Variola, Hepatitis, Anthrax, Ebola, Botullinic Toxin.
Technical: Mobile Biological Laboratories available are defined by size (3-6m long, 2x2m wide and tall), Biosafety Level 1-3 (Single and Dual rooms) and applications (Human and/or Veterinarian use, Vaccinations, etc). Laboratories are containerized, self-supporting on trailers or on small trucks with min 2,000kg loading capacity. A large tent is available on the right side, with 220VAC and 12VDC power outlets, an Autoclave and Decontamination unit. Available with Positive or Negative pressure, Bio-Safety Level II Hood or a GLOVEBOX BSL3, with fresh air HEPA filtering, it can provide a Level II or III BioSafety level for the occupants and samples. Other facilities must include a supply of safe water, a reliable source of energy like generator, Battery and solar. Also includes sterilization/incineration, chemical disinfections facilities.
Conclusion: Mobile Biological Laboratories are of great use in Epidemiological situations requiring Biosafety in sample collection and analysis.
This Page is in memory of our good friend, Dr.Dan Butur, without whom this project would not have been possible. We will always remember him as a good humor, super professional academic. And a lover of good Pipe Tobacco!
