Laboratory and Classroom Animal Training

The following precautions are necessary to protect yourself and your family from disease while working with animals in classes or labs:  

• Gloves should be worn and hands washed after glove removal.
• Many zoonoses are spread by fecal-oral contamination.  To prevent this, no eating, drinking, applying cosmetics or contact lenses, or smoking is allowed in areas where animals or their excreta are present. 
• Lab coats, safety glasses, and other personal protective equipment (as indicated by the nature of the exposure) must be worn to prevent the spread of organisms to you or outside the class or lab (i.e., home to your family).  A normal, healthy adult may have only mild symptoms when infected with a zoonotic disease, but the same organisms can be fatal to infants, the elderly, and those with a weakened or suppressed immune system:  

IMPAIRED IMMUNE SYSTEM (IMMUNOSUPPRESSION OR IMMUNOCOMPROMISE: This can be congenital or caused by HIV/AIDS or other diseases, cortisone or other medications, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.  Certain animal exposures and zoonoses can be very serious (or sometimes fatal) for persons with reduced immunity to disease.  If you suspect your immune system may be subnormal, seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis, treatment and determination as to whether or not animal exposure is safe for you.  

 
ANIMAL RELATED ALLERGIES... are exaggerated reactions of the body's immune system to animal proteins.  The most important animal allergens have been found in the urine of rats and in the urine, saliva, and fur of guinea pigs.  Other allergens include rabbit fur, cat saliva and dander, dog dander, and horse serum and dander.  Exposure to animal urine and feces may occur either through direct contact with skin or by inhaling dust that has been contaminated with urine or fecal material.  Some insects, frogs, and birds can cause respiratory symptoms in sensitized individuals. 

Animal related allergy is one of the most important health hazards encountered by laboratory animal workers.  It is estimated that about 30% of persons with pre-existing allergic conditions such as allergic nasal drainage might eventually develop allergy to animals.  Approximately 10% of these will have symptoms of animal induced asthma.  Symptoms range from mild (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing) to serious  (cough, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath). Scratches or direct contact with animal hair or skin may result in hives, welts or chronic skin rashes.  In sensitized workers, reactions can occur soon after exposure or may be delayed 2 to 8 hours or more.  Persons sensitized to domestic animals such as cats and dogs are more likely to develop sensitivity to laboratory animals than non-allergic workers.  These symptoms can lead to permanent disability or require a career change, so workers at risk for developing symptoms should take precautions to avoid or minimize exposures.  The following measures are recommended:
· Perform animal manipulations within ventilated hoods or safety cabinets when possible
· Wear designated clothing (not regular street clothes) while working with animals
· Leave work clothes at the workplace to reduce your own period of exposure to allergens and to

  Minimize potential exposure for family members.
· Keep cages and animal areas clean
· Reduce skin contact with animal products such as dander, serum, and urine by using gloves,
  lab coats, and approved particulate respirators with face shields or safety glasses

Remedial action for workers with early symptoms can reduce the risk of increasing sensitivity, and early medical treatment is advised.  Contact the occupational health nurse for further information or assistance in obtaining a respirator.

LISTERIOSIS… caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a gram positive rod found in fsh, birds, swine, horses, ruminants, guinea pigs, ferrets, gerbils, rabbits, and chinchillas. The principle reservoir of the organism is in forage, water, mud, and silage.  Papular lesions on hands and arms may occur from direct contact with infectious material or soil contaminated with infected animal feces.  Can be symptom-less or cause fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting progressing to serious complications.  Fatality rates may exceed 20%, but it can be treated with antibiotics.   Prevention/control is through use of protective clothing and gloves when handling animals and their excreta.  Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals should avoid contact with potentially infective animals and known infected humans.

LEPTOSPIROSIS... is caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans in the urine of infected animals of all species. . Ingestion, accidental parenteral inoculation, and direct or indirect contact of skin (through minor skin lesions) or mucous membranes (i.e., conjunctiva of unprotected eyes) with cultures or infected tissues or body fluids (especially urine and blood) during handling, care, or necropsy are the primary laboratory hazards.  The incubation period is usually 7-13 days, and the onset is usually abrupt, with influenza-like symptoms.  These include fever, headache, chills, severe muscle pain.  Gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur, as well as eye redness.  May be mild or progress to severe illness with death. Prompt recognition and specific treatment with antibiotics is essential.  Gloves and safety glasses are recommended for the handling and necropsy of infected animals and when there is the likelihood of direct skin contact with infectious materials.

SALMONELLOSIS…This was discussed under General Zoonotic Training, but bears further emphasis …  Certain strains of Salmonella cause illness in both humans and animals, while others affect only humans, so the outside appearance of an otherwise healthy animal may be deceiving.  Transmission is by ingestion of the organisms in food derived from infected food or animals or contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person.  Reservoirs include a wide range of domestic and wild animals including poultry, swine, cattle, rodents, and pets such as iguanas, tortoises, terrapins, turtles, chicks, rabbits, monkeys, guinea pigs, parakeets, snakes, dogs, and cats. Reservoirs also include humans.  Salmonellosis may be acquired by handling reptiles or other animals that have been exposed to their own feces or by cleaning the cages of infected animals.  Symptoms develop within 6 to 72 hours with sudden onset of headache, fever, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, usually lasting at least 3 to 5 days.  Antibiotics are not very effective, and the illness can be lethal for those persons with a suppressed immune system.   

Proceed to modules for RODENTS, SMALL MAMMALS, GOATS AND SHEEP AND RABBITS

This page was updated on August 10, 2004, and is maintained by Sue Pedrick in the Joseph F. Sullivan Center of the College of Health, Education,and Human Development

© Medical Surveillance Program * Clemson University * Clemson, South Carolina, 29634