The importation, possession, or use of this agent is restricted by USDA regulation or administrative policy. Zinga virus is now recognized as being identical to Rift Valley Fever virus. SALS recommends that work with this agent should be conducted only in Biosafety Level 3 facilities which provide for HEPA filtration of all exhaust air prior to discharge from the laboratory. A vaccine is available and is recommended for all persons working with this agent. These recommendations are based on documented cases of severe and frequently fatal naturally occurring human infections and aerosoltransmitted laboratory infections.
Arthropods are the natural vectors of the tick-borne 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. Biosafety Level 4 practices and facilities are recommended for all activities utilizing known or potentially infectious materials of human, animal, or arthropod origin. SALS has lowered the biohazard classification of Junin virus to BSL 3, provided all at risk personnel are immunized and the laboratory is equipped with HEPA filtered exhaust.