title: Biosafety considerations of mammalian-transmissible H5N1 influenza.
abstract: The ability to produce an H5N1 influenza virus that can be transmitted from human to human raises both biosecurity and biosafety concerns. After analyzing the biosafety risks of such a virus, we propose that it be handled at biosafety level 4 (BSL4) containment until and unless it becomes clear that the risks to humans and other mammals can be mitigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. imperial@umich.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Imperiale
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hanna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*; D008322:Mammals; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission