Weidmann, M.Avsic-Zupanc, T.Bino, S.Bouloy, M.Burt, F.Chinikar, S.Christova, I.Dedushaj, I.El-Sanousi, A. A.Eladi, N.Weber, F.Hewson, R.Hufert, F.Humolli, I.Koçak Tufan, Z.Korukluoglu, G.Leyssen, P.Mirazimi, A.Neyts, J.Niedrig, M.Ozkul, A.Papa, A.Paweska, Janusz TadeuszSall, A. A.Schmaljohn, C.Swanepoel, RobertJansen van Vuren, P.Uyar, Y.Zeller, H.2017-01-182017-01-182016-11Weidmann, M, Avsic-Zupanc, T, Bino, S, Bouloy, M et al 2016, 'Biosafety standards for working with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus', Journal of General Virology, vol. 97, no. 11, pp. 2799-2808.0022-1317 (print)1465-2099 (online)10.1099/jgv.0.000610http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58547In 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.en© 2016 Society for General Microbiology. This is an author manuscript that has been accepted for publication in Microbiology, copyright Society for General Microbiology, but has not been copy-edited, formatted or proofed. Cite this article as appearing in Journal of General Virology, vol. 97, no. 11, pp. 2799-2808, 2016. doi : 10.1099/jgv.0.000610.Nairovirus genusBunyaviridaeCauses a tick-borne zoonotic infectionCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV)Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF)Biosafety level (BSL)Postprint Article