Guam Mosquito Laboratory

1. Guam Mosquito Laboratory Division of Environmental Health Department of Public Health and Social Services

2. Presentation Outline Threat of Mosquito-borne Diseases to Guam Introduction and Spread of Mosquito-borne Disease Mission of the Mosquito Surveillance and Control Program Guam Mosquito Laboratory BioSecurity Level

3. Threat of Mosquito-borne Diseases to Guam • Guam’s economy, U.S. military presence, tourism, and geographic location have led to the entry of millions of items and people into the island from all over the world • Many of these goods and travelers originate from areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic • Infected passengers and mosquitoes, and mosquito carrying ships and planes, can enter Guam • Hot and humid climate of Guam provides ideal habitat for mosquitoes to breed and populate • Thus, the risk of introducing and spreading mosquito-borne diseases on Guam is high

4. Threat of Mosquito-borne Diseases to Guam (Cont.) • Mosquito-borne diseases include: • Dengue Fever: >100 million cases worldwide each year • Malaria: Kills about 660,000 people annually • Japanese Encephalitis: Causes inflammation of the brain membrane • Zika Virus and Chikungunya: Emerging mosquito-borne diseases • Guam is free of endemic mosquito-borne diseases • Most recent tests of captured mosquitoes showed no infection • All documented cases post-WWII were imported • Importation of infected mosquito • Can enter island via ship or plane with imported goods and arriving passengers • Arrival of infected person • Person infected elsewhere arrives to Guam • Importation of certain mosquito species can increase the threat to Guam • Some mosquito species are more efficient than others in transmitting the disease

5. Introduction and Spread of Mosquito-Borne Diseases • Outbreak from an infected mosquito • Infected mosquito entering island can bite and transmit disease to local resident or visitor • Infected mosquito may transmit virus to its offspring • Outbreak from an infected person • Non-infected mosquito can bite an arriving visitor or returning resident who is infected with the disease • Now infected mosquito can subsequently bite another person to transmit the disease • Importation of certain mosquito species • Aedesaegyptimosquito is an efficient transmitter of dengue fever • Eradicated on Guam post WW-II by the military • Can be imported into the island via ship or plane and become re-established • Establishment of the disease • As more mosquitoes get infected, the greater the potential for the spread of the disease in the population leading to an outbreak • If infected mosquitoes are not eradicated, the disease may become established

6. Mosquito Surveillance and Control Program (MSCP) • MSCP of the Division of Environmental Health, DPHSS seeks to prevent the introduction and spread of mosquito-borne disease on Guam • MSCP will conduct mosquito surveillance • Collect and identify mosquito species on Guam • Gather data on mosquito species, location and density • Establish monitoring sites (i.e., ports of entry) • Test mosquitoes for infection • MSCP will conduct mosquito control • Determine triggers to initiate investigation, control measures, etc. • Conduct outbreak investigations and control activities • Determine pesticide resistance • MSCP will conduct mosquito education • Promote mosquito education and awareness • Conduct outreach and campaigns

7. Guam’s Need for a Mosquito Laboratory • To conduct mosquito surveillance, control, and education activities, MSCP will require space, equipment, personnel and community support • DOI CIP grant ($3 million) to fund DEH Office Expansion Project • Additional office space • House MSCP staff, store equipment and materials • Mosquito lab • Identify species, test for infection and determine pesticide resistance • Training room • Provide onsite training and education on mosquito control • Food screening lab • Project to be constructed in Dededo, adjacent to the Northern Community Health Center

8. Project Information • The building will consist of 34 rooms total • 15 rooms for mosquito laboratory • Lab safety and security utmost importance • Protecting staff and citizens from lab hazards • Limited access to building • Restricted access to lab • Internal and external security • Received assistance/guidance from CDC • Constructed to meet certification standards for structure • Biosafety Level (BSL) of a lab describes the degree of protection for containing biological agents • BSL-4 > BSL-3 > BSL-2 > BSL-1 • Pathogens are identified by the CDC as to which biosafety level they belong to • Majority of our lab rooms will be BSL-2; few rooms will be BSL-3

9. Summary of Biosafety Levels 1-4

10. BSL for specific Pathogens Note: For Chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses, a BSL-3 is recommended but not required

11. Conclusion • Guam’s economy, location, and climate may lead to the importation and the establishment of mosquito-borne disease(s) • MSCP seeks to prevent the introduction and spread of mosquito-borne disease • MSCP requires a dedicated laboratory to implement mosquito surveillance, control, and education • A mosquito lab can prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases on Guam • Proposed mosquito lab will be constructed to meet the physical standards to contain biohazards

12. THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS?

13. Laboratory Information (Cont.) • Table 3: Food Lab Pathogens and BSL Category

14. Laboratory Information (Cont.) • Primary Barriers • Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) are enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace • BSC Class II Type A2 will be used • Vertical, laminar flow ventilated cabinets with an open-front • Mass airflow is re-circulated within work space • Uses HEPA-filter for both re-circulated air and exhaust air; HEPA filters are effective for trapping particulates and infectious agents • Provides personnel, environment, and product protection • Insects will be contained in cages and placed inside environmental chambers BSC Class II Type A2 Environmental Chambers

15. Laboratory Information (Cont.) • Secondary Barriers • Laboratory Facilities Design • Access is limited to lab staff • Double doors for main entrance/exits • Laboratory portion is separated by additional doors • Self-closing doors with locks are provided • BSL-3 rooms and insectaries are separated from unrestricted traffic flow • An anteroom is provided for the insectary rooms • BSL-3 rooms have an anteroom and are equipped with a negative airflow into the rooms; ducted air ventilation system that circulates air from “clean” area to “potentially contaminated” areas is also provided • No windows to the outside are provided for lab portion • Exhaust vents and vacuum lines are protected with HEPA filters

16. Types of Tests/Procedures Performed • Mosquito Sorting and Identifying • Insecticide Chemical Preparations • Insecticide Resistance Testing • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) • Food and water screening and sampling

17. Disinfection and Decontamination • Autoclaves • An autoclave is a strong, pressurized, steam-heated vessel used for sterilization • Guam Mosquito Lab will have two (2): • One (1) pass-thru autoclave from BSL-3 rooms to sterilization room • One (1) back up autoclave Pass-thru autoclave Autoclave

18. Disinfection and Decontamination (Cont.) • Facilities are designed to follow BSL-2 and BSL-3 specifications: • Rooms sealable for decontamination • Surfaces of walls, floors, and ceilings are smooth, impermeable durable, chemical resistant, and easily cleanable and decontaminated; all penetrations sealed • Handwashing and eye wash stations are provided in each room and located near exits • Detailed protocols and strategies will be established regarding disinfection and decontamination once laboratory is set up