At the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, safety is not merely a checklist, but a devoted mindset that guides every action and decision.
When working with pathogens that pose serious risks to animal and human health, precision and consistency are not optional.
On March 23 and April 7, TVMDL staff in College Station and Canyon, respectively, hosted BSL-3 exercises to assess their training and ensure readiness for future disease outbreaks.
“These exercises are critical to ensure we are fully prepared in the event of a high-consequence disease outbreak,” Kiril Dimitrov, DVM, PhD, director of TVMDL, said. “They allowed our team to practice the safety protocols under realistic conditions and reinforced the consistency needed in a BSL-3 environment. TVMDL is Texas’ state laboratory tasked with the diagnostics of dangerous pathogens and maintaining our BSL-3 preparedness is crucial for our ability to protect the state’s animal industries.”
Support and capacity for advanced biosafety
A Biosafety Level 3, BSL-3, laboratory is designed for work involving pathogens that can cause serious or potentially deadly disease or and are of high significance for agriculture. TVMDL maintains BSL-3 capabilities at both its College Station and Canyon laboratories.
In College Station, this includes 1,204 square feet of laboratory space, with 668 square feet supporting BSL-3 operations, while the Canyon facility includes a 224 square foot laboratory with an additional 415 square feet of support space.
Layers of protection
Protection in a BSL-3 lab is built in layers. Personnel change into scrubs, gowns, boot coverings, and gloves worn over a second pair of gloves. When working with pathogens dangerous to humans, staff wear specialized respiratory protection.
All procedures involving infectious materials are conducted within certified biological safety cabinets, which provide an additional barrier between the scientist and the specimen. Access to these spaces is strictly controlled, and only trained and authorized personnel may enter.
TVMDL’s BSL-3 exercises centered on procedures including entry and exit protocols, PPE donning and doffing, disinfection, and biosafety cabinet operation.
Other design and constructional features include seamless flooring, durable finishes capable of withstanding vaporized hydrogen peroxide decontamination, self-closing doors, hands-free sinks, effluent decontamination systems, shower-in and shower-out areas, and on-site autoclave.
A commitment to safety and health
Preparedness in a BSL-3 environment is a dynamic and deliberate state. TVMDL remains proactive, evolving alongside scientific advancements and regulatory expectations to ensure readiness for current and emerging disease threats.
“Since 1967, the mission of TVMDL has been to support animal health and the industries that depend on it, and we do that by delivering high-quality diagnostics in a safe and responsible manner,” Dimitrov said. “Our goals have always been aligned with delivering accurate, timely diagnostics while maintaining the highest standards of safety for our staff and the communities and industries we serve. Producers, veterinarians, and animal owners rely on us for fast, reliable answers and we ensure this work is conducted with determined attention to safety.”
The expertise of TVMDL is demonstrated in both excellent diagnostic service and the steadfast commitment to doing the work safely, responsibly, and exceptionally well.
For more information about TVMDL’s diagnostic capabilities visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call the College Station laboratory at 888.646.5623 or the Canyon laboratory at 888.646.5624.
