1. Occupational Health and Animal Use Gary L.White, D.V.M., M.M.S. Division of Animal Resources University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

2. Possible hazards in the animal facility n Zoonotic diseases n Animal bites, scratches, or other trauma n Allergic responses

3. Zoonoses: Infectious diseases transmitted from animal to man n Species posing greatest risk: – Non-human primates – Wild animals – Dogs – Cats – Some farm animals – Rabbits – Laboratory raised rodents

4. Zoonotic diseases (examples) n Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1: CHV 1 (Herpesvirus simiae) n Entamoeba histolyticia n Toxoplasmosis n Shigellosis n Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.) n Mycoses (ringworm) n Rabies

5. Injury: animal bites or scratches n Animal bites present greatest risk because of pathogens found on the oral mucosa or in the saliva of common laboratory animals n Risk varies with species involved

6. Examples of the serious diseases transmitted by bites and scratches n Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 n Rabies n Staphylococcus

7. Allergies n Allergic responses may be induced by dander, serum, urine and saliva n The allergic response may be noticed immediately after handling an animal or several hours after exposure n Often it may take years of constant exposure before appearing

8. Symptoms of allergic responses -Severity may vary n Sneezing, runny nose n Tearing, irritation of eyes n Asthma n Contact dermatitis

9. 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

10. Wash your hands n The most common method of contracting a zoonotic infection is by placing infectious material directly in your mouth n 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

11. Wear protective clothing n May be as simple as a laboratory coat n A separate change of work clothes n Disposable gowns n Do not take unlaundered protective clothing home with you

12. Use personal protective devices n 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

13. Seek medical attention n Promptly report on-the-job injuries or accidents to your supervisor, even if it seems minor n First-aid kits are readily available in all buildings housing animals n Report to occupational medicine clinic (green clinic in the Family Medicine Building)

14. Alert your physician that you work with laboratory animals n Many zoonotic diseases have flu-like symptoms: the physician needs this information for making an accurate diagnosis n (Note: Herpes B & Hepatitis B may be misunderstood by physician if called “B” virus we prefer CHV 1)

15. Get the facts n Attend environmental health and safety initial and refresher training courses n Division of Animal Resources sponsored sessions on zoonotic diseases or related health concern training sessions

16. Risk assessment based training n The “Animal Handlers Health Questionnaire” n Distributed to research investigators through annual update forms n Available on the OUHSC web page / Office of Research Administration / IACUC, or, from the Division of Animal Resources office

17. Animal Resources’ Occupational Health Program n Note: items followed by an asterisk (*) are suggested, but not required, in order to comply with the program

18. Small animals (rodents, rabbits, birds) n Serum banking * n Tetanus immunization n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

19. Dogs, cats and feral animals n Serum banking * n Tetanus immunization n Rabies * n Toxoplasmosis antibodies titer for premenopausal personnel who work with cats * n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

20. Nonhuman primates n Serum banking n Annual physical n Tetanus immunization n TB test (every 6 months) n Hepatitis B immunization (recommended for those working with apes) n Post employment physical with serum banking n Annual physical n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

21. Farm species (pigs, sheep, goats, cattle) n Serum banking (if working with parturient sheep) * n Tetanus immunization n Q-Fever assessment (if working with parturient sheep) * n Post employment physical with serum banking * n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

22. Poikilotherms (reptiles, amphibians, fish) n Tetanus immunization n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

23. Work with animal tissues n Serum banking * n Tetanus immunization n Hepatitis B immunization (for those working with ape tissues) n Incident evaluation and follow-up n Affirmation of compliance on annual protocol update

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