Laboratories at each classification level must meet different design criteria and conform to different operating procedures. Should a person become infected, treatment is available and the risk of spreading the infection to others is low. About 98 percent of laboratories in Canada are Level 2. Level 3 laboratories are capable of handling organisms that can cause serious illness to people or animals but cannot spread easily to others.
Treatment is available.
Level 4 laboratories are capable of handling organisms that can cause serious illness in people and animals, and can spread easily to others. The illness is often untreatable. There are a limited number of Level 4 laboratories in the world. The Federal Laboratories in Winnipeg will include Canada's first Level 4 laboratory.