The UCLA Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has developed the attached guidance document to address emerging health and safety concerns associated with Zika virus research being conducted at UCLA. The IBC has conducted a risk assessment and has determined that working with Zika virus is similar to working with other enveloped viruses that are not transmitted by the aerosol route, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The IBC has determined that this research may be conducted safely and responsibly at BSL2+ containment, with adherence to the precautions included in the attached document. Each investigator’s research will be reviewed by the IBC and an individual risk assessment will be performed to ensure that the precautions and containment in the attached document can be achieved.
To date, Zika virus research has been proposed for locations in the following buildings: BSRB, Factor, CNSI, TLSB
If you have any concerns related to this research, please contact OIBC at oibc@research.ucla.edu or x 40262. Information sessions can be scheduled for your floor to address your concerns and answer any of your questions.