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Meridian Bioscience Comments on Influenza Samples
By Meridian Bioscience
Apr 15, 2005, 16:17

Commenting on the recent reports in the general press regarding the recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) that testing laboratories destroy proficiency samples containing influenza A virus, the Company noted it produces such samples for the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Such samples are used by professional laboratories accustomed to handling viral agents. For fiscal year 2004, the Company's CAP sales and operating income were approximately $3.0 million (4% of total sales) and $750,000 (5% of total operating income), respectively. The Company has a long history of supplying samples to the CAP and believes it has been and is in compliance with all applicable regulations. Further to this topic, the Office of Communication for the Centers for Disease Control stated, in part, in their media relations statement dated April 12, 2005:

"On 8 April, after a request by the US government, CAP asked all laboratories which participated in the proficiency testing to immediately destroy samples containing the H2N2 virus. On 12 April, a second correspondence from CAP to these laboratories further requested that destruction of the H2N2 virus be confirmed and that any case of respiratory disease among laboratory workers be investigated and notified to national authorities. WHO has received the list of addresses of the involved laboratories and has provided detailed contact information to the relevant Ministries of Health and requested their collaboration.

As of today, there have been no reports of H2N2 infections in laboratory workers associated with the distribution of the H2N2 samples from CAP. The proper use of biological safety cabinets, along with the use of recommended personal protective equipment, greatly reduces the risk of laboratory-acquired influenza infections. While a few H2N2 laboratory acquired infections have been documented in the past, the likelihood of laboratory-acquired influenza infection is considered low when proper biosafety precautions are followed. The risk for the general population is also considered low.

As a precautionary measure, WHO is recommending that all samples of the proficiency testing panel from CAP and any other proficiency testing providers containing H2N2 and any derivates be destroyed immediately. WHO further recommends that biosafety procedures be reviewed for use on influenza viruses that have not circulated recently in humans and against which the majority of the population would have no protective immunity."

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