These recommendations are based on documented cases of severe and frequently fatal naturally occurring human infections and aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections. Export permit required by Department of Commerce. More recently, filoviruses related to Ebola were associated with Macaca spp.
Arthropods are the natural vectors of the tick-bome encephalitis complex agents.
Work with or exposure to rodents, nonhuman primates, or vectors naturally or experimentally infected with these agents represents a potential source of human infection. The infectious agents may be present in blood, urine, respiratory and throat secretions, semen, and tissues from human or animal hosts, and in arthropods, rodents, and nonhuman primates. Respiratory exposure to infectious aerosols, mucous membrane exposure to infectious droplets, and accidental parenteral inoculation are the primary hazards to laboratory or animal care personnel. Biosafety Level 4 practices and facilities are recommended for all activities utilizing known or potentially infectious materials of human, animal, or arthropod origin. Clinical specimens from persons suspected of being infected with one of the agents listed in this summary should be submitted to a laboratory with a Biosafety Level 4 maximum containment facility.