What type of packaging must be used for the Zika Virus sample?

• A. Vented triple packaging
• B. Quadruple packaging
• C. Double packaging
• D. Single packaging

Answer: (A)

Shipping infectious substances like a Zika virus sample requires multiple containment barriers and protection against gas buildup during transit. The standard approach is a triple packaging: a leakproof inner primary container, placed inside a leakproof secondary container with cushioning, all inside a rigid outer packaging. If dry ice is used to keep the sample cold, the outer packaging must be vented to allow CO2 to escape and prevent pressure buildup. This combination—triple packaging with venting when dry ice is involved—meets the regulatory requirements for transporting infectious substances by air, minimizing the risk of leakage, contamination, and package rupture. The other options don’t provide the necessary multi-layer containment or, in the case of venting, the required accommodation for gas generation.