title: Risks associated with vaccinia virus in the laboratory.
abstract: Vaccinia virus (VACV) is used commonly in research laboratories. Non-highly attenuated strains of VACV are potentially pathogenic in humans, and VACV vaccination and biosafety level 2 facilities and protocols are currently recommended for vaccinated laboratory workers in the United States who handle non-highly attenuated strains of the virus. Despite this, laboratory-related VACV exposures continue to occur and a number of recent instances of VACV infection in non-vaccinated laboratory workers have been documented. We provide a discussion of the usage and risks associated with VACV in laboratory research.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. aho3@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacNeil
authors.forename: Mary G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Inger K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Damon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007757:Laboratory Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012900:Smallpox Vaccine