Biosafety level
The CDC strongly recommends working inside a certified Class II biosafety cabinet (BSC) when handling or manipulating specimens from a person under investigation (PUI) for EVD.
Need for select agent classification
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines the list of select agents that affect humans. Although Ebola virus is a select agent on this list, specimens collected from a PUI for EVD would not be subject to federal select agent regulation until identified as containing Ebola virus by viral isolation. Once a patient has confirmed EVD, the CDC will consult with the appropriate facility personnel and perform additional testing to determine if the specimens should be classified as select agents. The CDC will also work with the facility to determine the proper handling and reporting of these specimens.
