Frequently Asked Questions

A pathogen is an organism that causes disease to its host. Pathogens are diverse and include many viruses, bacteria and other unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes; they can cause disease to humans, other animals or plants. The danger posed by a pathogen depends on how easily it spreads between hosts (called transmissibility), and the severity of disease it causes (known as virulence). A pathogen that is highly transmissible and virulent is much more dangerous than one with low transmissibility and virulence.

Responsible laboratory study of dangerous viruses and other microbes is the only safe way scientists can understand how high-risk pathogens function so they can develop and test vaccines and therapeutics. Laboratory studies also make it possible to forecast how the risks posed by these pathogens might change as they spread and evolve, a critical tool for protecting public health from current and future pathogenic threats.

Handling pathogens requires proper training, equipment and facilities. Those requirements become more stringent as the risk posed by the pathogen increases. Lab scientists receive regular and extensive biosafety training. Researchers are required to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, eye protection and air-purifying respirators to protect them from the specific activities they are performing in the lab. Facilities rated for high-risk pathogen research maintain strict security protocols, are outfitted with advanced air and wastewater purification systems and are built to withstand severe weather and power outages. All systems that are critical to safety and security are redundant in case of a failure.

UW–Madison researchers receive extensive training before being allowed to work with pathogens. This training includes, but is not limited to, how to handle pathogens safely using good microbiological techniques, what to do in case of a failure of personal protective equipment, how to respond to lab accidents, and what to do in the case of various emergencies, including fires and severe weather. Safety refresher trainings occur on a regular basis. They may involve tabletop exercises or live-action scenarios to simulate what it is actually like to respond to an emergency. Researchers are also trained on how to properly adhere to regulations, including documentation and reporting requirements.

Labs on campus work with many different pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and prions. These pathogens may cause disease in humans, animals or plants, and studying them is vital for protecting public health, agriculture and wildlife. Some examples of pathogens studied at UW–Madison include influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Blastomyces, Zika virus, Cryptosporidium, Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that causes botulism) and the prion that causes chronic wasting disease in animals like deer and elk.

In the United States, work with pathogens is primarily regulated by the federal government, though additional state and local regulations also may apply to this work. Depending on the pathogen, federal regulation and enforcement fall under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health.

To ensure the safety of its researchers and public health, UW–Madison has several layers of oversight for pathogen work on campus. These include layers required by regulations and additional safeguards.

UW–Madison takes lab incidents that lead to exposure or potential exposure to pathogens very seriously. Lab scientists are trained to quickly assess whether an incident such as a needle stick or air ventilation malfunction exposed or potentially exposed them to an infectious agent. Depending on the circumstances, those involved may be required to quarantine and to be monitored by health care professionals. The UW–Madison Office of Biological Safety, Occupational Medicine, and other campus units also respond by investigating the incident, identifying root causes and providing guidance for preventing future incidents. Additionally, depending on the pathogen and regulatory requirements associated with it, an exposure or potential exposure would trigger documentation and reporting to appropriate authorities via the UW–Madison Office for Biological Safety as prescribed by regulations.