In countries from which Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is absent, the causative virus
CCHF virus (CCHFV) is classified as a hazard group 4 agent and handled in containment level 4. In
contrast, most endemic countries out of necessity have had to perform diagnostic tests under
biosafety level (BSL) 2 or 3 conditions. In particular, Turkey and several of the Balkan countries
have safely processed more than 100000 samples over many years in BSL-2 laboratories. It is
therefore advocated that biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be
revised, to allow the required tests to be performed under enhanced BSL-2 conditions with
appropriate biosafety laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment used according to
standardized protocols in the affected countries. Downgrading of CCHFV research work from Cl-
4,BSL-4 to Cl-3 ,BSL-3 should also be considered.
