Occupational Health and Animal Use

Gary L.White, D.V.M., M.M.S.Division of Animal Resources

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Possible hazards in the animal facility

Zoonotic diseases

Animal bites, scratches, or other trauma

Allergic responses

Zoonoses: Infectious diseases transmitted from animal to man

Species posing greatest risk:– Non-human primates– Wild animals– Dogs– Cats– Some farm animals– Rabbits– Laboratory raised rodents

Zoonotic diseases (examples)

Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1: CHV 1 (Herpesvirus simiae)

Entamoeba histolyticia Toxoplasmosis Shigellosis Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.) Mycoses (ringworm) Rabies

Injury: animal bites or scratches

Animal bites present greatest risk because of pathogens found on the oral mucosa or in the saliva of common laboratory animals

Risk varies with species involved

Examples of the serious diseases transmitted by bites and scratches

Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1

Rabies

Staphylococcus

Allergies

Allergic responses may be induced by dander, serum, urine and saliva

The allergic response may be noticed immediately after handling an animal or several hours after exposure

Often it may take years of constant exposure before appearing

Symptoms of allergic responses-Severity may vary

Sneezing, runny nose

Tearing, irritation of eyes

Asthma

Contact dermatitis

Six strategies for staying healthy and reducing the risk of exposure

1. Wash your hands

2. Wear protective clothing

3. Use personal protective devices

4. Seek medical attention

5. Tell your personal physician that you work with animals

6. Get the facts

Wash your hands

The most common method of contracting a zoonotic infection is by placing infectious material directly in your mouth

The simple task of washing your hands after working with a laboratory animal is one of the more effective methods of preventing the occurrence of a zoonotic disease

Wear protective clothing

May be as simple as a laboratory coat

A separate change of work clothes

Disposable gowns

Do not take unlaundered protective clothing home with you

Use personal protective devices

The Division of Animal Resources provides the following protective devices in staging areas adjacent to animal holding rooms

– Disposable examination gloves– Disposable masks, gloves, shoe covers, bonnets

and goggles– Disposable gowns as appropriate– Specialized masks on request

Seek medical attention

Promptly report on-the-job injuries or accidents to your supervisor, even if it seems minor

First-aid kits are readily available in all buildings housing animals

Report to occupational medicine clinic (green clinic in the Family Medicine Building)

Alert your physician that you work with laboratory animals

Many zoonotic diseases have flu-like symptoms: the physician needs this information for making an accurate diagnosis

(Note: Herpes B & Hepatitis B may be misunderstood by physician if called “B” virus we prefer CHV 1)

Get the facts

Attend environmental health and safety initial and refresher training courses

Division of Animal Resources sponsored sessions on zoonotic diseases or related health concern training sessions

Risk assessment based training

The “Animal Handlers Health Questionnaire”

Distributed to research investigators through annual update forms

Available on the OUHSC web page / Office of Research Administration / IACUC, or, from the Division of Animal Resources office

Animal Resources’ Occupational Health Program

Note: items followed by an asterisk (*) are suggested, but not required, in order to comply with the program

Small animals (rodents, rabbits, birds)

Serum banking *

Tetanus immunization

Incident evaluation and follow-up

Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Dogs, cats and feral animals

Serum banking *

Tetanus immunization

Rabies *

Toxoplasmosis antibodies titer for premenopausal personnel who work with cats *

Incident evaluation and follow-up

Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Nonhuman primates

Serum banking Annual physical Tetanus immunization TB test (every 6 months) Hepatitis B immunization (recommended for those

working with apes) Post employment physical with serum banking Annual physical Incident evaluation and follow-up Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Farm species (pigs, sheep, goats, cattle)

Serum banking (if working with parturient sheep) *

Tetanus immunization

Q-Fever assessment (if working with parturient sheep) *

Post employment physical with serum banking *

Incident evaluation and follow-up

Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Poikilotherms (reptiles, amphibians, fish)

Tetanus immunization

Incident evaluation and follow-up

Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Work with animal tissues

Serum banking *

Tetanus immunization

Hepatitis B immunization (for those working with ape tissues)

Incident evaluation and follow-up

Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

Work with human tissue in animal models Serum banking Tetanus immunization Hepatitis B immunization Annual physical Post-employment physical and serum banking Incident evaluation and follow-up Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol

update