FIMA has finished equipping a National Public Health Laboratory of Biosafety Level III, designed for the investigation of agents of dangerous diseases. This is the first laboratory in the Lithuanian health care system that can study rare Level III micro-organisms related to dangerous human diseases.

“Equipping a laboratory of such a high safety level means that Lithuania will be better prepared to effectively investigate and prevent the spreading of dangerous infectious diseases in the country. At the same time, this laboratory will contribute to the development of biomedical science in Lithuania and will enable Lithuanian healthcare establishments to participate in the EU and other international healthcare programes aimed at prophylaxis, prevention and diagnostics of infectious diseases“, says Romualdas Brusokas, Director of the National Public Health Laboratory.

Strictly controlled conditions are required for the study of agents of dangerous infectious diseases. Therefore, in carrying out its work FIMA took account of the recommendations made by specialists from Robert Koch Institute responsible for the maintenance, equipping and construction of Biosafety Level III and IV laboratories. The laboratory was designed and equipped in such a way so as to ensure safe working conditions for specialists and to prevent any potential spreading of infections outside the laboratory.

In the new premises, FIMA installed a negative pressure cascade and hermetic doors and windows, which ensure that air gets into the laboratory, but that no dangerous infections can spread into the environment. Prior to entering the laboratory, staff has to pass two specifically-equipped rooms with varying pressure. Air in the laboratory is cleaned by means of special filters and the ventilation system is fully automated.

This is the second project of similar kind implemented by FIMA. In 2010 the company equipped a Biosafety Level II laboratory for the investigation of less dangerous diseases. The laboratory‘s capacities were expanded and now it can conduct research using molecular techniques, and study the resistance to antibiotics etc of agents of diseases.