1. The University of New Mexico & The Office of Animal Care and Compliance present Rodent Field Safety A learning module developed by OACC

2. Introduction This module was developed to prepare you for safety issues involved in doing field research with Rodents This module was developed to prepare you for safety issues involved in doing field research with Rodents

3. General Background Rats and mice are among the most successful mammal groups on Earth. They are adaptable creatures that can inhabit almost any environment. Rats and mice are among the most successful mammal groups on Earth. They are adaptable creatures that can inhabit almost any environment. Rodents are noted as carriers of Hantavirus and the Plague. Rodents are noted as carriers of Hantavirus and the Plague. Over half of all mammals on Earth are rodents. Over half of all mammals on Earth are rodents.

4. The following pertain to ALL RODENT FIELD RESEARCH Injuries and Sickness – What are the dangers in working with Rodents? Injuries and Sickness – What are the dangers in working with Rodents? Habitat – What kind of climate or environment will I be exposed to? Habitat – What kind of climate or environment will I be exposed to? Protective Equipment – How do I handle rodents? Protective Equipment – How do I handle rodents?

5. Injuries and Sickness Rodents can carry Hantavirus, the Plague, Monkeypox, Lassa fever, and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis to name a few Rodents can carry Hantavirus, the Plague, Monkeypox, Lassa fever, and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis to name a few Of particular concern to Field Biologists is Hantavirus and the Plague Of particular concern to Field Biologists is Hantavirus and the Plague All rodents should be handled with gloves and a filter mask All rodents should be handled with gloves and a filter mask Injuries are typically bites and sometimes scratches Injuries are typically bites and sometimes scratches

6. Injuries and Sickness Hantavirus: Rodents carry both disease organisms and parasites that carry disease organisms Rodents carry both disease organisms and parasites that carry disease organisms Rodents can carry Hantavirus which is passed in the saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents Rodents can carry Hantavirus which is passed in the saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents People are infected when they breath in tiny particles of these materials in dust from places where rodents are living and active People are infected when they breath in tiny particles of these materials in dust from places where rodents are living and active People can also become infected by handling contaminated materials and then touching the mouth or nose People can also become infected by handling contaminated materials and then touching the mouth or nose Hantavirus is NOT spread from person to person Hantavirus is NOT spread from person to person

7. Injuries and Sickness Hantavirus Symptoms: The first symptoms are general and flu-like: fever, headache, stomach pain, pain in the joints and lower back, coughing, and sometimes nausea and vomiting The first symptoms are general and flu-like: fever, headache, stomach pain, pain in the joints and lower back, coughing, and sometimes nausea and vomiting The main symptom is difficulty in breathing as lungs fill with fluid The main symptom is difficulty in breathing as lungs fill with fluid This can quickly lead to an inability to breathe and even death from suffocation This can quickly lead to an inability to breathe and even death from suffocation Symptoms can appear from 3 days to 6 weeks after infection, but usually within 2 weeks Symptoms can appear from 3 days to 6 weeks after infection, but usually within 2 weeks

8. If you have any of these symptoms within 6 to 7 weeks of having contact with wild rodents or rodent droppings GO TO EOHS, THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, OR THE UNM EMERGENCY ROOM If you have any of these symptoms within 6 to 7 weeks of having contact with wild rodents or rodent droppings GO TO EOHS, THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, OR THE UNM EMERGENCY ROOM You must also complete the Hantavirus Risk Reduction training module before doing any rodent field research You must also complete the Hantavirus Risk Reduction training module before doing any rodent field research Hantavirus

9. Injuries and Sickness Plague: The Plague is carried by fleas that frequently infest rodents The Plague is carried by fleas that frequently infest rodents Most human cases in the United States occur in two regions: 1) northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado; and 2) California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada Most human cases in the United States occur in two regions: 1) northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado; and 2) California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada

10. The Plague Symptoms: The typical sign of the most common form of human plague (bubonic) is a swollen and very tender lymph gland, accompanied by pain The typical sign of the most common form of human plague (bubonic) is a swollen and very tender lymph gland, accompanied by pain A person usually becomes ill with bubonic plague 2 to 6 days after being infected A person usually becomes ill with bubonic plague 2 to 6 days after being infected Other symptoms include: fever, chills, headache, and extreme exhaustion Other symptoms include: fever, chills, headache, and extreme exhaustion

11. The Plague Pneumonic: Symptoms for Pneumonic Plague are very similar to Bubonic Plague and include Pneumonia and blood in the sputum Symptoms for Pneumonic Plague are very similar to Bubonic Plague and include Pneumonia and blood in the sputum Infected persons are contagious from droplet transmission while coughing, or fleas Infected persons are contagious from droplet transmission while coughing, or fleas

12. Rodent Habitats Where do they live? Rodents can live in almost any environment, depending upon the species Rodents can live in almost any environment, depending upon the species Rodents are typically burrowing animals and nest under ground, in rocks, dead trees, old buildings, anywhere that affords them shelter and privacy Rodents are typically burrowing animals and nest under ground, in rocks, dead trees, old buildings, anywhere that affords them shelter and privacy

13. Protective Equipment Rodents WILL BITE – use gloves when handling them Rodents WILL BITE – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases - a filter mask should be worn when handling them or in areas where they live Rodents can carry diseases - a filter mask should be worn when handling them or in areas where they live

14. This Concludes Module 11 – Rodent Safety Please download the exam, complete it, then e-mail it to KMirowsky@salud.unm.edu Please download the exam, complete it, then e-mail it to KMirowsky@salud.unm.eduKMirowsky@salud.unm.edu For more information, or if you have questions, please contact OACC @ 272-6806 For more information, or if you have questions, please contact OACC @ 272-6806