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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024)

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October 11, 2025
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December 31, 2024

Copyright (c) 2024 Mohammed Ahmed Bawshkhah, Mohammad Yousef Issa Alshabi, Yazeed Saad Alharthi, Tariq Abdullah AlShamrani, Mohammed labiad Almaliki, Manar Abdulaziz Almazroua, Haifa Ayedh Alzayedi, Mohammed Mansour Ahmed Hazzazi, Mohammed Hasan Alhazemi, Manal Abdulaziz AlManshi

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratory Readiness for Emerging Pathogens: A Review Study

https://doi.org/10.64483/20251152
Mohammed Ahmed Bawshkhah
Riyadh Regional Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Yousef Issa Alshabi
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Yazeed Saad Alharthi
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Tariq Abdullah AlShamrani
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Mohammed labiad Almaliki
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Manar Abdulaziz Almazroua
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Haifa Ayedh Alzayedi
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Mansour Ahmed Hazzazi
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Hasan Alhazemi
Riyadh Regional Laboratory , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia
Manal Abdulaziz AlManshi
King Salman Hospital (Laboratory), , Ministry of Health , Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Mohammed Ahmed Bawshkhah

mbawshkhah@moh.gov.sa

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024)

Abstract

Background: Emerging pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis are international health concerns because of their high virulence, transmissibility, and aerosol-transmissibility. Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories provide necessary containment for the study of these Risk Group 3 (RG3) agents while balancing research needs with stringent safety precautions. Aim: This review evaluates BSL-3 laboratory preparedness for new pathogens in infrastructure, operational practices, training, and challenges to inform future outbreak responses. Methods: There was a systematic review of the literature, complemented by global guidelines from the CDC and WHO. Incident analyses and case studies provide valuable lessons. Results: Negative pressure, HEPA filtration, and rigorous training are required for BSL-3 labs to deal with pathogens like the Nipah virus and Francisella tularensis. Challenges include higher costs, disruption of the supply chain in LMICs, and risk of laboratory-acquired infection. AI surveillance and modular laboratory design help with better preparedness. Conclusion: BSL-3 laboratories have a pivotal role in diagnosis, vaccine development, and control of outbreaks, necessitating global investment in facilities and training to address new threats.

Keywords

BSL-3, emerging pathogens, biosafety, aerosol transmission, laboratory preparedness
Bawshkhah, M. A., Alshabi, M. Y. I., Alharthi, Y. S., AlShamrani, T. A., Almaliki, M. labiad, Almazroua, M. A., … AlManshi, M. A. (2024). The Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratory Readiness for Emerging Pathogens: A Review Study. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 1(1), 392–399. https://doi.org/10.64483/20251152
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