Biosafety Practices When Working with Bats: A Guide to Field Research Considerations

Alvaro Aguilar-Setién; Nidia Aréchiga-Ceballos; Gary A Balsamo; Amy J Behrman; Hannah K Frank; Gary R Fujimoto; Elizabeth Gilman Duane; Thomas Warner Hudson; Shelley M Jones; Luis A Ochoa Carrera; Gregory L Powell; Carrie A Smith; Joni Triantis Van Sickle; Susan E Vleck

doi:10.1089/apb.2022.0019

Biosafety Practices When Working with Bats: A Guide to Field Research Considerations

Appl Biosaf. 2022 Sep 1;27(3):169-190. doi: 10.1089/apb.2022.0019. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Coordinación de Investigación Médica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.
² Laboratorio de Rabia, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.
³ Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
⁴ Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁵ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
⁶ Occupational and Internal Medicine Consultant, Los Altos, California, USA.
⁷ Biosafety Consultant, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
⁹ Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.
¹⁰ Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
¹¹ Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA.
¹² U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
¹³ Biosafety Office, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
¹⁴ Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Field work with bats is an important contribution to many areas of research in environmental biology and ecology, as well as microbiology. Work with bats poses hazards such as bites and scratches, and the potential for exposure to infectious pathogens such as rabies virus. It also exposes researchers to many other potential hazards inherent to field work, such as environmental conditions, delayed emergency responses, or challenging work conditions.

Methods: This article discusses the considerations for a thorough risk assessment process around field work with bats, pre- and post-occupational health considerations, and delves into specific considerations for areas related to biosafety concerns-training, personal protective equipment, safety consideration in field methods, decontamination, and waste. It also touches on related legal and ethical issues that sit outside the realm of biosafety, but which must be addressed during the planning process.

Discussion: Although the focal point of this article is bat field work located in northern and central America, the principles and practices discussed here are applicable to bat work elsewhere, as well as to field work with other animal species, and should promote careful considerations of how to safely conduct field work to protect both researchers and animals.

Keywords: bat; biosafety; coronaviruses; field safety; rabies.