Detection and Diagnosis of Potential Biological Release

Staff within the Health Protection Agency have a long track record of working with hazard group 3 agents including B. anthracis, F. tularensis, Y. pestis and B. pseudomallei. This course is for microbiologists who need to increase awareness of the characteristics of these agents or have a requirement to work safely with them.

All delegates are required to have undertaken Containment Level 3 training and to be experienced Microbiologists. Delegates will be offered the anthrax vaccine before attending the course.

This course contains a mixture of lectures and practicals. The practical work takes place in a large well managed Containment Level 3 laboratory and all work takes place within Class III cabinets. Delegates will work on hazard group 2 agents within Class III cabinets until they and their supervisors are satisfied with their working practices. Delegates are closely supervised at all times.

By the end of the course the delegates will be able to:

• List the principles of Containment Level 3 design and describe how they protect the user and the environment
• Describe the difference between syndromes caused by a range of agents.
• Perform the simple microbiological methods in a Class III cabinet.
• Perform the methods needed to identify and differentially diagnose 4 Bioterrorist agents ( B. anthracis, Y. pestis, F. tularensis and B. pseudomallei ).
• Describe the detection and identification of pox viruses and toxins.
• Understand of the role of reference centres and the strategies employed to confirm identification of suspect Bioterrorist agents.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the remedial actions to be taken in the event of an accident with a Hazard group 3 agent.

Course Dates:

Please contact nadp.training@hpa.org.uk to register your interest in this course.  Extensive experience at Cl3 or attendance at one of our Cl3 training courses is required to attend this course.

Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Porton Down
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0JG
email: nadp.training@hpa.org.uk

Telephone 44 (0)1980 612898
Fax 44 (0)1980 612841

Differential Laboratory Diagnosis of Potential Biological Deliberate Release Agents
14th - 18th June 2010

Comments included:

• Everyone involved in the course was very helpful and pleasant, every effort was made to answer questions as they arose
• Enjoyed the practical sessions, they were well planned and gave us an opportunity to handle the organisms in a safe and unrushed manner. I feel more confident to be able to recognise these organisms in the future
• Great course, lots of good information and discussion but didn't feel rushed at any time
• All the staff on the course were really friendly and helpful. They answered all our questions and gave us everything we needed
• The course was excellently planned and delivered, really enjoyable and lots learnt. Will be recommended
• Content of lectures was good and delivery was interesting with good illustrations 
   

Differential Laboratory Diagnosis of Potential Biological Deliberate Release Agents
27th April - 1st May 2009

Comments included:

• It was great to gain hands on experience in the lab of these rare organisms and their identification
• Excellent course, well organised and extremely interesting. Practicals were very well organised and extremely useful
• Enjoyed the content of the course and the range of experienced speakers and access to facilities
• Staff all very helpful and really good at getting the information across to me
• Excellent practical work. Good to see the organisms and make own description of them- will help remember things
• I found it useful being able to set up PRC techniques and through having small groups of people I was given this chance

Last reviewed: 17 November 2011