The Biosafety Level 4 Zoonotic Laboratory Network (BSL4ZNet) is a network of animal and public health organizations from 5 countries. It was established to respond to current and emerging high-consequence bio-threats using a One Health approach, and facilitated by strong international partnerships.
Vision
A coordinated global alliance of high-containment laboratories that optimizes collaboration and knowledge exchange to protect human health, animal health and agriculture resources.
Mission
- establish and sustain trusted partnerships
- strengthen international coordination
- improve knowledge sharing
- leverage capacity for diagnostics, research and training
Partners
Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness
Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease
- Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory
- Department of National Defence, Canadian Safety and Security Program
- Global Affairs Canada, Threat Reduction Program
Germany
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, National Research Institute for Animal Health, Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Robert Koch Institut, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens / Biosafety Level 4 Laboratories
United Kingdom
- UK Research & Innovation, The Pirbright Institute
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge Veterinary Laboratories
- Public Health England, Porton Down Laboratory
- Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories
United States
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services
- Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory
- United States Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
Structure
The network communicates regularly, hosts learning events, conducts surveys, and shares best practices, templates, contracts and protocols. Its steering committee and working groups are organized under the following pillars:
- training world-class personnel
- scientific excellence
- institutional cooperation
- international response
| Working groups | Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Training world-class personnel |
To strengthen training of biosafety level 4 laboratory personnel by identifying and creating training opportunities. To build capacity and promote scientific collaboration within the Network through strategic personnel exchanges. |
Highly trained, collaborative workforce able to respond to emerging pressures. |
| Scientific excellence |
To promote scientific collaboration and learning within the network. |
Enhanced diagnostic capabilities, scientific collaborations and collective advice for decision-makers. |
| Institutional cooperation |
To promote institutional cooperation and sharing of knowledge within the network. |
Efficient mechanisms for harmonized exchange of laboratory-based information and diagnostics. |
| International response |
To strengthen laboratory preparedness and response during an outbreak (sample sharing and exercise subgroups). To use shared data to better understand hazards, exposure and vulnerability. |
Network communications plan and provisions for laboratory surge capacity. |
BSL4ZNet recent publications and editorials
- Global experts join together to learn about pandemic preparedness (science.gc.ca)
- Working with the world's deadliest diseases
- International conference drives science forward in the post-pandemic era
- BSL4ZNET COVID-19 Rapid Response: A True Example of Science Diplomacy
- Canada hosts COVID-19 international symposium
- How S&T Collaborates with International Partners During a Global Pandemic
- The Biosafety Level 4 Zoonotic Laboratory Network (BSL4ZNet): Report of a workshop on live animal handling
- A glimpse into Canada's highest containment laboratory for animal health: The National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases (science.gc.ca)
Contact BSL4ZNet
Questions? Contact cfia.bsl4znet.acia@inspection.gc.ca for more information.