Our Biosafety level-3 laboratory was established with FAO’s support, inaugurated by his excellence Dr. Abera Deressa, the then state Minster for MOARD, and Mr. Mafa Chipeta SRC/E. Africa/ FAOR Ethiopia, AU/ECA on 15 May, 2009. This lab is established to support the current multi-sectoral approach to combat zoonoses and AMR. One Health- is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach working at the local, regional, national, and global levels with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. According to WOAH (2024), 60% of pathogens that cause human diseases originate from domestic animals or wildlife, 75% of emerging infectious human diseases have an animal origin and 80% of pathogens that are of bioterrorism concern originate in animals.

Since its establishment, this laboratory has been actively engaged in working on various research projects and diagnostic investigations on zoonotic diseases like Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), Brucellosis and anthrax.

1. Used for referral lab for HPAI in East Africa and collaborated with Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) during Ebola outbreak in other African countries and screening of suspected cases in Ethiopia and no positive case was found.
2. More than 32 thousand COVID-19 samples were processed in the lab
3. Is now used for isolation and identification of Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella spp and Bacillus anthracis for samples intended for research and outbreak investigation.

This lab has the following facilities

1. Is placed in a separated location, adequately fenced, access controlled and has negative pressure air flow system. The laboratory consists of three separate entries; one for sample reception and the remaining two are dedicated for female and male authorized working staff. It has sample processing and culture room. Both male and female entries consisted of anterooms for storage of PPE and showering facilities.
2. There are three laboratory rooms including two single door rooms and one double door room provided with different lab equipment including Biosafety cabinets (Level I, Level II and Level III), centrifuges, incubators, autoclaves, refrigerators, freezers and heat blocks among others. The floors are impermeable, easily cleanable, leak-proof and are made from durable materials (Epoxy). Water sinks are available in each room.
3. It has also decontamination facilities, Emergency shower and other facilities

Lab personnel: in this lab competent and trained lab personnel are working in the lab and training was given for any procedures, biological agents, systems or equipment that require heightened control measures.

Biosafety and Biosecurity rules and practices

1. Accessed by authorized and limited personnel
2. Appropriate PPE including Laboratory coats/clothing, gloves, Footwear, respirators protection (N95, N97), goggles or eye protection and biohazard bag are avail.
3. Policy statement, and including more than 20 different SOPs are developed to ensure strict biosafety and biosecurity in the lab.