Vaccinia Virus
Vaccinia Virus
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Vaccinia virus
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Poxvirus, smallpox vaccine
CHARACTERISTICS: Poxviridae; 230 x 400 nm, complex coat and capsid, dsDNA
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Virus disease of skin induced by inoculation for the prevention of smallpox – vesicular or pustular lesion, area of induration or erythema surrounding a scab or ulcer at inoculation site; major complications encephalitis, progressive vaccinia (immunocompromised susceptible), eczema vaccinatum – a localized or systemic dissemination of vaccinia virus, fetal vaccinia; minor complications – generalized vaccinia with multiple lesions; auto-inoculation of mucous membranes or abraded skin, benign rash, secondary infections; complications are serious for those with eczema or who are immunocompromised; death is most often the result of postvaccinial encephalitis or progressive vaccinia
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Routine vaccination is no longer carried out as smallpox has now been eradicated; only used in armed forces and laboratories
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Vaccines have potency of 108 pock-forming units/mL; infectious dose unknown
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Virus may be transmitted to contacts of individuals who have been vaccinated recently
INCUBATION PERIOD: 1 week after vaccination (lesion at point of inoculation); generalized vaccinia 5-10 days
COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable to unvaccinated contacts
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Humans; held in restricted stocks
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: N/A
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Heat-labile antigen destroyed at 60° C, heat-stable antigen withstands 100° C (both may be present in infected tissue)
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Lyophilized vaccinia virus maintains potency for 18 months at 4-6° C, may be stable when dried onto inanimate surfaces
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirmation by identification of vaccinia pocks, isolation of virus, serology
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Vaccinia immune globulin and methisazone may be of value in treating complications
IMMUNIZATION: Smallpox vaccine is indicated for laboratory workers directly involved with vaccinia and vaccinia virus recombinants
PROPHYLAXIS: See Treatment
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 18 reported variola laboratory infections and 2 reported infections of laboratory workers with recombinant vaccinia virus
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Lesion fluids or crusts, respiratory secretions or tissues of infected hosts
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion, parenteral inoculation, droplet or aerosol exposure of mucous membranes or broken skin with infectious fluids or tissues
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Some poxviruses are stable when dried
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for all activities involving the manipulation of this virus (with vaccination); primary containment devices and biological safety cabinets are recommended
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves and gown when working with agent
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Immunization of staff working directly with vaccinia
SECTION VIII – HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time before clean up (30 min)
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, incineration, chemical disinfection
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
SECTION IX – MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Date prepared: May, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright © Health Canada, 2001
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