Bio-risk management in veterinary sciences is essential not only for the protection of students, faculty, and laboratory staff but also plays a critical role in safeguarding the national economy, public health, and national security. Zoonotic diseases transmitted from animals to humans, such as H1N1, COVID-19, Ebola, bird flu, and other epidemics, have clearly demonstrated that human and animal health are interconnected, and both need protection as a global priority. Worldwide, numerous epidemics have caused economic losses and human fatalities, highlighting the importance of biosafety and bio-risk management principles. Bio-risk management not only protects staff and students from hazardous biological agents but also ensures the health of animals, livestock productivity, food security, and the country’s economic growth. Since the early 20th century, developed countries’ veterinary laboratories have established BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories and adopted biosafety and biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread, store and handle dangerous viruses and bacteria safely, and instill a culture of safety in research and education. These measures are essential not only to control epidemics but also to enable global collaboration and modern research, as advanced research and experiments are impossible without a safe laboratory culture. Furthermore, bio-risk management strengthens the reputation of the veterinary sector at national and international levels and raises research standards, producing competent, safe, and responsible professionals for the future.

Veterinary education in Pakistan was established in the late 19th century, and in recent decades multiple veterinary universities have been founded to meet the growing livestock demands of the country. Currently, Pakistan has 20 veterinary educational institutions, including 4 veterinary universities, and unfortunately, most of these institutions lack the basic requirements of bio-risk management (BRM) and international standards. Consequently, most laboratories still operate with outdated infrastructure, limited budgets, inadequate safety arrangements, and a weak biosafety culture. This forces students and staff to work in unsafe environments, affects diagnostic and research quality, and increases the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Similarly, laboratories in provincial livestock departments are often deficient in basic safety measures, which increases the risk of disease spread and weak diagnostic capacity in the field. These laboratories must also be upgraded to modern BSL-2 standards, and staff must be trained to ensure uniform implementation of biosafety and bio-risk management principles at the national level.

Veterinary educational institutions must have laboratories capable of safely handling biological materials. Laboratories should include functional biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, proper ventilation, negative pressure systems, safe sample handling areas, chemical and biological waste management, emergency eye wash and shower units, and appropriate storage for chemicals and biological samples. Trained laboratory technicians, certified biosafety officers, and active institutional biosafety committees are mandatory. Laboratory staff and students must use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment, i.e., protective clothing, gloves, masks or N95 respirators, protective goggles or face shields, safety shoes, and hair covers) to protect against infection, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.

Unfortunately, many veterinary laboratories in Pakistan lack basic facilities. In several institutions, biosafety cabinets are inactive or absent, autoclaves are old or defective, ventilation is inadequate, and proper waste disposal systems are missing. The use of formalin and disinfectants is often unregulated and poorly monitored. Overcrowding, insufficient PPE, and improper sample storage in teaching laboratories increase the risk of accidental exposure. Many universities lack biosafety officers or trained supervisors, and provincial laboratories face similar risks, exposing staff and field workers to hazards. Upgrading these laboratories with modern infrastructure, full PPE, trained staff, effective waste management, and timely monitoring is essential to enable timely diagnosis and disease control at the provincial level.

The primary reason for these shortcomings is insufficient financial allocation. Veterinary universities generally operate on limited budgets, which only cover basic educational needs, while biosafety and biosecurity requirements are considered secondary. To address these gaps, universities must increase annual budgets to strengthen biosafety infrastructure, laboratory maintenance, PPE procurement, training programs, and engineering controls. Without proper financial support, real improvement is impossible.

Training of faculty, laboratory staff, and students is a crucial pillar of bio-risk management. Modern laboratory practices, advanced diagnostic techniques, and familiarity with international standards are essential. Training should include national programs and overseas observational and field attachments. Domestic workshops, short courses, and in-service training provide practical experience in local conditions, while overseas training introduces advanced technologies, modern biosafety culture, and global laboratory management. This combined training ensures that veterinary professionals are confident, skilled, and capable of following safe procedures. Specifically, bio-risk management, biosafety, and biosecurity principles should be incorporated into the DVM curriculum so that every veterinary graduate acquires safety skills and a culture of safe working from day one.

At the national level, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) must also prioritize bio-risk management. Currently, biosafety indicators carry low weight in accreditation and university evaluation, causing institutions to avoid investment. HEC should allocate special funds for establishing BSL-2 compliant laboratories in all veterinary institutions, develop national biosafety guidelines, conduct regular inspections, support training programs and certification, and make effective biosafety systems mandatory for accreditation.

An important reform is that training workshops and programs sponsored by international agencies should be conducted directly within veterinary educational institutions rather than in five star hotels. Holding workshops in five star hotels wastes international and national funds and has little practical impact, as effective training requires the actual laboratory environment with real hazards and equipment. This ineffective and expensive practice must be stopped immediately to ensure that students, faculty, and laboratory staff receive real hands-on training.

Moving forward requires collective commitment and immediate action. Universities must significantly increase budgets to modernize laboratory infrastructure, strengthen biosafety and biosecurity systems, and ensure trained personnel at all levels. Provincial livestock department laboratories should also be upgraded to modern standards so that bio-risk management principles are implemented at the field level. HEC must make biosafety and bio-risk management a national priority, providing funds and guidelines and making implementation mandatory for accreditation. DVM curricula should include bio-risk management and biosafety principles every year to ensure that students acquire safe working skills from day one. National and international training programs should familiarize students and staff with modern laboratory technologies, global diagnostic standards, and a culture of safety.

These measures will not only raise the standards of veterinary education and research but also strengthen the protection of animal and human health, prevent epidemics, and stabilize the livestock economy at national and international levels. If these responsibilities are fulfilled promptly and in a coordinated manner, Pakistan can develop a strong veterinary sector, safe from dangerous zoonotic diseases, and aligned with global standards. These efforts in biosafety and bio-risk management will guarantee national security and enhance the professional skills and reputation of the veterinary sciences sector.

Dr. Alamdar Hussain Malik
Advisor, Veterinary Sciences
University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Swat

Former Secretary / Registrar
Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council