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Packaging
Despatch
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A pre-arranged system of collection, packaging and despatch of samples from cases of
suspect FMD is an essential component of any national contingency plan for FMD control. It
is important that all those responsible for FMD control are aware of what samples to take
and how they are to be despatched to the laboratory of choice. A standing arrangement must
exist with one of the national, regional or international reference laboratories for
examination of the samples with minimal delay. It is the experience of the FAO/OIE WRL for
FMD at Pirbright, UK, that avoidable delays frequently occur because countries are not
aware of how to send samples or because they are sent in an unapproved manner.
The sending of pathological material and biological products to the FAO/OIE WRL for FMD,
whether from within the UK or overseas, is subject to the special rules concerning
packaging stipulated for perishable biological material by the Universal Postal Convention
established by the Universal Postal Union (Article 1.3.6.3. Measures Concerning
International Transfer of Pathological Material and Biological Products). Airline companies
carrying pathological material and biological products also have special requirements,
described in the IATA Regulations, and these should be consulted prior to shipment.
These regulations, on which packaging and despatch protocols are based, although designed
primarily to prevent leakage and consequent contamination by materials sent in this way,
are also important in helping to ensure that the specimens arrive in a satisfactory state
for laboratory examination. An improperly packed or identified specimen is not only illegal
but may also cause considerable inconvenience and wastage of time, both for those involved
in its collection and despatch as well as for the staff of the laboratory.
The basic principles are that any specimen is fresh, within a suitable container (and
transport medium, if appropriate), and securely contained in sturdy packing at least two
layers of which should be watertight. The inner container should be labelled with a
description of the specimen and its origin. The outside of the final layer of packing
material must have the address of the World Reference Laboratory, indicate that the package
contains pathological material, that it is fragile, and have instructions as to the
temperature at which it should be kept.
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