What Risk Group do Salmonella and Shigella biohazards belong to?

Salmonella and Shigella are classified as Risk Group 2 pathogens. This designation indicates that these organisms are associated with human disease, could cause severe disease in healthy individuals, and are regarded as a moderate risk to individuals and the environment. The classification reflects their potential to be pathogenic, requiring specific biosafety precautions when working with them in laboratory settings, such as proper personal protective equipment and containment measures to prevent exposure and transmission.

Risk Group 1 pathogens are unlikely to cause disease in healthy individuals, while Risk Group 3 and 4 pathogens pose a higher risk with serious or life-threatening diseases and require more stringent containment strategies. Understanding the classification of these pathogens is essential for ensuring safety protocols are effectively implemented in laboratories handling these organisms.