b. Infectious Specimen.
(1) Enclose the specimen in a sterile, stout glass tube, and seal the ends of
the tube by fusion of the glass.
(2) Place the glass tube containing the specimen in a stout glass container
that can be sealed by an insulated screw cap, rubber stopper, or by fusion of the glass.
(3) Add formalin to the outer container so that the inner glass container is
surrounded by formalin; then seal the glass container with wax. This procedure
provides for disinfection's if the inner container should break.
(4)
Pack this double glass container in standard double shipping containers.
(5)
Pad the spaces between the containers to guard against breakage.
(6) The properly packed container of infectious material will have the
following layers, from specimen outward: specimen, glass, formalin, glass, padding,
metal, padding, and heavy cardboard (figure 3-5 (B) ).
c. Additional Requirements.
(1) The importation or subsequent receipt of etiologic agents and vectors of
human disease is subject to the Public Health Service Foreign Quarantine Regulations
(42 CFR, Section 71.156). Permits authorizing the importation or receipt of regulated
materials and specifying conditions under which the agent or vector is shipped, handled,
and used are issued by the Centers for Disease Control.
(2) The interstate shipment of indigenous etiologic agents, diagnostic
specimens, and biological products is subject to applicable packaging, labeling, and
shipping requirements of the Interstate Shipment of Etiologic Agents (42 CFR Part 72).
Packaging and labeling requirements for interstate shipment of etiologic agents are
summarized and illustrated in figure 3-5.
(3) Additional information on the importation and interstate shipment of
etiologic agents of human disease and other related materials that may be obtained by
writing to:
Centers for Disease Control
Attention: Office of Biosafety
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Telephone: (404) 329-3883
FTS: 236-3883
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