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WHO guidelines for the storage and transport of human and animal specimens for laboratory diagnosis of suspected avian influenza A infection
12 January 2005
Specimen storage
Specimens in viral transport medium for viral isolation should be kept at 4 °C and transported to the laboratory promptly. If specimens are transported to the laboratory within 2 days, they may be kept at 4 °C; otherwise they should be frozen at or below –70 °C until they can be transported to the laboratory. Repeated freezing and thawing must be avoided to prevent loss of infectivity. Sera may be stored at 4 °C for approximately one week, but thereafter should be frozen at –20 °C.
Specimens should be collected and transported in a suitable transport medium on ice or in liquid nitrogen. Standard precautions should always be followed, and barrier protections applied whenever samples are obtained from patients. Specimens for influenza should not be stored or shipped in dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) unless they are sealed in glass or sealed, taped and double plastic-bagged. Carbon dioxide can rapidly inactivate influenza viruses if it gains access to the specimens through shrinkage of tubes during freezing.
Specimen transport
Transport of specimens should comply with theWHO guidelines for the safe transport of infectious substances and diagnostic specimens (WHO, 1997).
The receiving laboratory should be notified before shipment of specimens in order to arrange for an import license for the specimens.
Transport of specimens within national borders should comply with the procedures detailed within each country’s regulations.
International air transport of human specimens known or suspected to contain the avian influenza agent, or of specimens from avian influenza infected animals must follow the current edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.
The IATA Regulations, Consignment of Diagnostic Specimens, 2003 allow specimens known or suspected to contain the avian influenza agent to be transported as UN 3373 “diagnostic specimens” when they are transported for diagnostic or investigational purposes.
Specimens transported for any other purposes, and cultures (as defined in the IATA Regulations) prepared for the deliberate generation of pathogens, must be transported as UN 2814 or UN 2900, as appropriate.
All specimens to be transported (UN 3373, UN 2900, or UN 2814) must be packaged in triple packaging consisting of three packaging layers as indicated in the Dangerous Goods Index.
UN 3373, Diagnostic Specimens, shall be packed in good quality packaging, which shall be strong enough to withstand the shocks and loads normally encountered during transport. Packaging shall be constructed and closed so as to prevent any loss of contents that might be caused under normal conditions of transport, by vibration or by changes in temperature, humidity or pressure.
Primary receptacles shall be packed in secondary packaging in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the secondary packaging. Secondary packaging shall be placed in a final outer package with suitable cushioning material. Any leakage of the contents shall not substantially impair the protective properties of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging.
For liquids
The primary receptacle(s) shall be leakproof and shall not contain more than 500 ml. There shall be absorbent material placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging; if several fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they shall be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them. The absorbent material shall be in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacles and there shall be a secondary packaging that shall be leakproof. The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging shall be capable of withstanding without leakage an internal pressure producing a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa (0.95 bar). The outer packaging shall not contain more than 4 litres.
For solids
The primary receptacle(s) shall be sift-proof and shall not contain more than 500 g. If several fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they shall be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them and there shall be a secondary packaging which shall be leak proof. The outer packaging shall not contain more than 4 kg.
For air transport, the smallest overall external dimension of a completed package must be at least 10 cm.
Packaging must conform to certain performance standards.
For further information about definitions, packaging requirements, markings and labels, accompanying documentation, and refrigerants, please refer to the competent authority, current IATA shipping guidelines, commercial packaging suppliers, or available courier companies.
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