Sindbis Virus Biological Agent Reference Sheet (BARS)
Summary
| Agent Type | Risk Group | Biosafety Level | Animal Housing Biosafety Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virus | RG-2 | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 |
Agent Characteristics
Risk Group: RG-2 associated with human disease, rarely serious; preventive or therapeutic interventions often available.
Agent Type: Virus
Description: Sindbis virus (genus: Alphavirus; family: Togaviridae) are positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses that are spherical in shape and consist of an envelope and nucleocapsid. Infection with Sindbis virus begins with a sudden onset of fever, headache, and joint pain. The infection may include rash and, in some cases, prolonged joint symptoms.
Host Range: Humans, birds, small mammals, amphibians
Primary Transmission: Arthropod vectors (mosquitoes)
Routes of Exposure (Laboratory): Percutaneous (sharps), mucous membrane splash, and inhalation when aerosol-generating procedures are performed.
Infectious Dose: Unknown
Incubation Period: Up to 10 days
Health Hazards
Signs and symptoms of infection may include:
- Flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, dehydration, weight loss, lethargy)
- Cutaneous symptoms (e.g., skin lesions, rash)
- Musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g., joint and muscle pain)
Immunizations: None available
Post-Exposure Management: No established specific antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Immediate decontamination and prompt medical evaluation are recommended. Treatment is generally supportive/symptomatic.
*Formal medical advice is obtained during medical consultations with Cornell Health or a primary healthcare provider as needed.
Agent Viability
| Survival Outside Host | Disinfection | Inactivation |
|---|---|---|
| Can remain infectious under some conditions (e.g., low temperature and low pH) and still infect in cell culture. | Sodium hypochlorite (bleach): Use a freshly prepared solution at the concentration and minimum contact time specified in Cornell disinfection guidance. Accelerated hydrogen peroxide: Use per label / Cornell guidance for enveloped viruses (concentration and contact time vary by product). Quaternary ammonium compounds: Use only when the product label and Cornell guidance indicate efficacy for enveloped viruses at the required contact time. | Follow validated inactivation parameters (time/temperature depend on matrix, volume, and equipment). |
For more guidance on disinfection see: disinfectant selection.
Laboratory Hazards
- High energy-creating activities (centrifugation, sonication, high-pressure systems, vortexing, tube cap popping)
- Handling of sharps (needles, scalpels, microtome blades, broken glass, etc.)
- Splash/droplet-creating activities (shaking incubators, liquid culturing, mechanical pipetting)
- Uncovered/exposed wounds
Laboratory Acquired Infection (LAI) History: No widely documented LAIs are noted in commonly used summaries. This does not mean risk is zero—follow BSL-2 practices and promptly report exposures and near-misses.
Laboratory Handling Guidelines
Laboratory Biosafety Level (BSL): BSL-2
| Training | Lab Engineering Controls | Personal Protective Equipment |
|---|---|---|
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Waste Management: Regulated Medical Waste (RMW)
Shipping Guidance: Refer to EHS Biological Materials Shipping
Animal Vivarium Guidance
Animal Housing Biosafety Level (ABSL): ABSL-2
Animal Biosecurity: Experimental animals are housed separately.
Perform Inoculations: In a Biosafety Cabinet (or other approved primary containment) when procedures may generate aerosols or splashes.
Change Cages: In a Biosafety Cabinet or other approved containment (e.g., ventilated cage-changing station) based on risk assessment.
Exposure and Spill Procedures
Mucous Membranes: Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 15 minutes at an eyewash station. See: responding to exposures.
Other Exposures: Wash with soap and water for 15 minutes (open wounds, sores, etc.) or a minimum of 20 seconds for areas with intact skin. See: responding to exposures.
Small Spills: Notify others working in the lab. Evacuate area and allow 30 minutes for aerosols to settle. Don appropriate PPE. Cover area of the spill with paper towels and apply disinfectant, working from the perimeter toward the center. Allow the minimum contact time required by the selected disinfectant before disposal and cleanup of spill materials. See: spill cleanup.
Large Spills: Request assistance from the EHS Spill Team by calling CUPD dispatch. Call 911 from a campus phone or 607-255-1111 from a mobile phone.
Reporting: Report exposures, spills, and near-misses promptly so hazards can be corrected and colleagues protected. Reporting is used for learning and prevention—not blame.
Incident Reporting: Report the incident to your supervisor and complete the EHS online injury/illness report as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable reporting through your supervisory chain, you may contact EHS directly.
Medical Follow-Up:
- For students, seek medical attention at Cornell Health or a local primary care provider. Call Cornell Health at 607-255-5155 (24-hour phone consultation line) or a local urgent care.
- For faculty and staff, seek medical evaluation with a local primary care provider or urgent care. Cornell Health does not see employees for post-exposure care.
- Emergencies: Call 911 from a campus phone or 607-255-1111 from a mobile phone.
Cornell EHS would like to thank Emory University for the use of their Biological Agent Reference Sheet (BARS) format and some content.
Guidelines
More Information
References:
- Ehrengruber, M. U., Schlesinger, S., & Lundstrom, K. (2011). Alphaviruses: Semliki Forest Virus and Sindbis Virus Vectors for Gene Transfer into Neurons. Current Protocols in Neuroscience, 57(1). doi: 10.1002/0471142301.ns0422s57
- Horowitz, B., Minor, P., & Morgenthaler, J. J. (2004). Guidelines on viral inactivation and removal procedures intended to assure the viral safety of human blood plasma products. World Health Organization.