High Containment Unit (HCU) contagious animal diseases
Good to know
In short- High-tech laboratories with dedicated animal facilities
- Human BSL-3 and veterinary BSL-4
- Full AAALAC accreditation
- National disease surveillance and crisis response
- Experimental studies, vaccine development and diagnostic innovation
Within the bioveterinary research domain, we study high-risk animal and zoonotic pathogens in a secure environment. Our High Containment Unit (HCU) enables our scientists to safely explore how infectious diseases emerge, spread and can be controlled – helping to protect animals, people, and food systems worldwide.
What research is conducted in the HCU?
The HCU is intended for national and international research partners, government agencies and select industrial collaborators who work with high-risk infectious agents. Experts in the bioveterinary field also use it for research in microbiology, immunology, and pathology.
The High Containment Unit (HCU) provides a fully secure environment for research on pathogens requiring the highest biosafety levels (BSL), up to human BSL-3 and veterinary BSL-4.
By combining high-tech laboratories with dedicated animal facilities, we can conduct multidisciplinary research into the mechanisms, transmission and control of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever and avian influenza.
The HCU plays a vital role in national disease surveillance and crisis response. It also offers a unique infrastructure for experimental studies, vaccine development and diagnostic innovation, supporting both science and society.
More information
Every detail of the HCU is designed for safety. The facility is airtight and kept under slight negative pressure, ensuring that no pathogens can escape. All outgoing air and waste are sterilised, and strict hygiene procedures apply including mandatory showers for staff leaving the unit.
For maximum biosafety, no farms with even-toed ungulates are located within a 3-kilometre radius of the facility.
Airflow and containment: all of the work takes place in controlled safety cabinets that use filtered airflow and sterilisation to prevent any virus from escaping. The entire HCU is gas-tight and maintained under lower air pressure than the outside environment, so that air can only flow inward, even in the case of an incident.
Entry and exit: access is strictly controlled through airlocks. All materials, waste and personnel are fully decontaminated before leaving the facility.
Waste management: wastewater is sterilised with steam, while all laboratory and animal waste undergoes gas or steam sterilisation.
System monitoring: every safety system is continuously monitored, with critical components duplicated for redundancy. Independent inspections guarantee that operations meet the highest international safety standards.
We have full AAALAC accreditation, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical research. Our specialised team provides expert care in well-maintained facilities designed for both animal and human wellbeing.
Our Biosafety Level 3 and 4 facilities can accommodate livestock and laboratory animals alike. We have extensive experience with cattle, pigs, poultry, ferrets and mice, and can also work with goats, sheep, horses, llamas and other rodent species.
All studies are reviewed by our ethical committee and comply fully with Dutch legislation on animal testing.
Why choose this facility?
The High Containment Unit allows us to study the world’s most contagious animal diseases under maximum safety
We offer:
- Certified facilities for human BSL-3 and veterinary BSL-4 pathogens
- Integrated laboratory and animal housing for complex multidisciplinary studies
- Decades of experience in biosafety and infectious disease research
- Essential support for national surveillance and crisis preparedness
- A new, sustainable and future-ready High Containment Unit currently under development
Questions about the HCU?
Interested in possibilities for collaboration or custom research? Contact our business developer.
dr. A (Astrid) de Greeff
Business Developer
