This brochure is an introduction to the current UIC Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring For or Using Laboratory Animals. In addition, this brochure contains information on the health concerns associated with working in a Laboratory Animal Facility including: zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; animal allergies, and hazardous agents.

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals require that an Occupational Health Program be part of an institution's overall animal care and use program. The UIC Occupational Health Program was developed by members of University Health Service (UHS), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), the BRL veterinary staff, and the Animal Care Committee (ACC). The purpose of this program is to protect UIC personnel and the animals used in research, and to assure compliance with the various regulatory and funding agencies. The program is based upon the recommendations of the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the NRC publication on Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals.

All individuals who work with or around research animals at UIC are required to participate in the program. This includes animal care staff, investigators, laboratory assistants, students, physical plant workers, consultants, and visitors to the BRL. The ACC Policy on the Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals at UIC recognizes three levels of participation as defined by the type of animal contact.

Substantial Animal Contact - is defined as "when direct contact with animals covered by an approved UIC Protocol for Animal Use takes place on a regular and continuous basis or involves direct contact with nonhuman primates or pregnant sheep." Individuals who fall into this category include all BRL and UIC satellite facility animal care personnel. In addition, investigators, laboratory assistants and students who are involved in research protocols utilizing nonhuman primates and/or pregnant sheep also fall into this category.

As part of the Protocol for Animal Use review process, representatives from the BRL veterinary staff, UHS and the ACC may determine that contact with an "exotic species" besides those already listed warrants inclusion at this level. Such determinations are done on a case-by-case basis, and in the past have included protocols utilizing bats and deer mice.

Direct Animal Contact - is defined as "having actual physical contact with laboratory animals covered by an approved UIC Protocol for Animal Use." All investigators, laboratory assistants and students involved with protocols who actually handle laboratory animals other than nonhuman primates and pregnant sheep fall into this category.

Casual Animal Contact - is defined as "entrance into an animal room when laboratory animals are present." This category was designed to include physical plant workers, investigators, students and consultants who enter an animal room as part of a job function, but do not actually handle the animals.

Substantial Animal Contact - Briefly, individuals who fall into this category must undergo a pre-employment/-study physical examination, annual physical examinations, and an end of employment/study physical examination. The examinations consist of medical history, blood pressure assessment, and diptheria/tetanus toxoid immunization (if required). For individuals with nonhuman primate contact, the measles titer is checked and serum is banked prior to initial contact. Additionally, a tuberculosis assessment is performed annually. For individuals with pregnant sheep contact, the Q fever titer is checked and medical clearance for N95 respirators is given annually. For individuals working with animals that potentially carry rabies, such as bats, pre-exposure rabies immunization and annual titer checks may be required.

Direct Animal Contact - Individuals who fall into this category will be provided information on the occupational hazards associated with the use of laboratory animals, methods to prevent exposure to these hazards, and methods for reporting and/or obtaining treatment for conditions that may result from such exposure.

Casual Animal Contact - Individuals who fall into this category will be apprised of the proper procedures and precautions to follow when entering animal room (s).

According to the ACC's Policy on the Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to inform his/her staff and students of this policy/program, and to provide assurances that work done under his/her supervision is in compliance with this policy. Failure to comply with this policy could result in delays in approval of proposed protocols, suspension of previously approved protocols and/or denial of access to rooms containing certain species of animals. Even though it is the responsibility of the investigator to assure compliance, members of UHS, the BRL veterinary staff and the ACC have the responsibility of assisting investigators with compliance. This is done in part, by distributing to every individual who requests card access to the BRL, MBRB, SES and BSB a copy of the Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals brochure.

Substantial Animal Contact - The investigator and the veterinary staff work in concert to identify individuals who fall in this category. The BRL office provides the individual with the paper work and coordinates with UHS the initial physical examination necessary to enroll in the program. The UHS maintains all records for those individuals with substantial animal contact and provides the examination service free of charge. Any special charges incurred such as those associated with immunization of employees against rabies are the responsibility of the investigator.

On an annual basis, the BRL and UHS will coordinate with the Principal Investigator a physical examination for all members of his/her research group who fall into this category. The Principal Investigator is responsible for making sure that all members of the group attend the scheduled examination. Failure to partake in the annual examination could result in delays in approval of proposed protocols, suspension of previously approved protocols, denial of access to rooms containing certain animal species and/or termination of card access to the respective animal facilities. If an individual misses an appointment to have his/her tuberculin skin test read, resulting in the need to retest, the investigator will be charged for the additional test.

Direct Animal Contact - Individuals who fall into this category will not be entered into an Occupational Health Program administered by the BRL and UHS. These individuals will receive information on the institution's Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals, diseases communicable from animals to humans, methods to minimize potential exposure to these diseases and steps to take if bitten or scratched by an animal. The Office for Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS), as part of their support function for the ACC, is responsible for sending investigators this information with each Protocol for Animal Use approval letter. It is the responsibility of the investigator to review this information with his/her staff.

Casual Animal Contact - Individuals who fall into this category typically are not entered into the Occupational Health Program administered by the BRL and UHS. It is the responsibility of the investigator and/or the BRL veterinary staff to apprise these individuals of the proper procedures and precautions to follow when entering into the animal room(s). Tours of the BRL should be coordinated with the Director of the BRL. During tours, signs on doors describing protective clothing and restricted access must be followed.

Should you have any questions regarding the institution's Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals please contact Dr. Jeffrey Fortman at 6-7048.

Diseases Communicable from Animals to Humans - This section of the brochure focuses on zoonotic diseases; including general methods to prevent disease transfer from animals to humans, animal bite or scratch procedures, and specific diseases associated with commonly used laboratory animals. There is also information on animal-induced allergies, including recommendations to minimize the potential for developing serious allergies to animals. This section of the brochure is meant to be an introduction to zoonotic diseases. Additional information about specific types of animals and associated disease conditions may be obtained from the BRL veterinary staff or UHS.

The definition of a zoonosis is any disease that may be transmitted from an animal to a human under natural conditions. Examples of zoonotic diseases that most people recognize are rabies, ringworm, and salmonellosis. These diseases as well as others will be discussed in the species-specific sections.

In general, taking some simple precautions while handling an animal or working in an animal room will prevent most zoonotic diseases. First, food and beverages should not be consumed, contacts handled, or cosmetics applied in an animal room. In addition, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose after handling animals. Second, appropriate protective clothing should be worn, which may include a lab coat or gown, gloves, mask, shoe covers, and/or eye protection. The exact protective clothing required is determined by the BRL protocol for the animal species involved. The required protective clothing is indicated on many doors on the rodent floor and on the doors leading to the nonhuman primate floor. Third, wash your hands immediately after you are finished working with an animal. These simple steps are the most important things you can do to prevent transmitting diseases from animals to yourself.

If you do become ill, it is important to inform your physician that you work with animals. Although you may not have contracted a zoonotic disease, it is important that your health care provider has all the facts to help in the diagnosis.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, there are additional precautions that you will need to consider when working around animals. There are several potentially hazardous agents, both biological and chemical, which may affect a developing child in the womb. Certain diseases, such as toxoplasmosis from cats and improperly cooked meat, can cross the placenta and cause birth defects in a developing child. There are also chemical agents that may be used in an animal facility or research laboratory that may pose a risk to a developing child. These chemicals are called teratogens, meaning they are capable of causing birth defects. Common examples used in research facilities are certain anesthetic agents, including the gas anesthetic halothane and the injectable anesthetic urethane.

There are several avenues available to obtain more information on the chemicals you and your child may be exposed to in the animal facility or in a research laboratory. There are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for you to read to determine any potential risks. In addition, you should contact your obstetrician and/or an occupational medicine physician at University Health Service to discuss any additional precautions that you should take during your pregnancy. With the information available, you and your health care provider should be able to make an informed decision about which compounds may pose a risk to your baby.

If you are immunosuppressed or have a chronic medical condition, it is important to assess the risks associated with working around animals. There are certain diseases that may not cause illness in a person with a fully functional immune system that may cause serious disease in an immunosuppressed individual. It is important to discuss the risks with your health care provider and/or an occupational medicine physician at University Health Service.

If you are scratched or bitten by an animal (non-macaque), it is important to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. All animals, including rodents, have bacteria in their mouths and under their claws, which have the capacity to cause infection if a scratch or bite is not cleaned immediately. After the wound has been cleaned, report to University Health Service for documentation and treatment of the wound. All costs incurred by UIC employees for job-related animal scratches or bites will be paid for by UIC. Following evaluation at UHS, fill out an accident report (Form No. Rm-01, University of Illinois Supervisors First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness) explaining the nature and circumstances involving the scratch or bite. Accident report forms are available from your department. People who are immunosuppressed should have the wound checked by their physician due to a greater chance of developing serious complications following an animal-inflicted wound. If you are injured after hours, you must go to the UIC Emergency Room for documentation and treatment of the wound.

Due to potential exposure to rabies, all dog and cat bites must be reported to the Cook County Department of Public Health. Report all dog and cat bites to a member of the BRL veterinary staff to ensure proper documentation of such an injury.

For individuals scratched or bitten by a macaque monkey (rhesus, cynomolgus, Japanese, and stump tails), the B-virus exposure protocol must be followed. The B-virus protocol includes informing the primate floor supervisor or veterinarian, washing the wound with Dakin’s solution, and collecting samples for serology and virology at University Health Service.

Finally, following a scratch or bite, it is important to look for signs that may indicate that the wound has become infected, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a hot, swollen, red wound. To minimize these complications, protect the wound with a bandage until it is completely healed. If you develop signs of infection, please consult University Health Service.

Although it is important to tend to a wound inflicted by an animal to avoid contracting a zoonotic disease, it is even more important to prevent these types of injuries. First, it is vital that you are familiar with proper restraint and handling techniques. Animals may bite or scratch if they are not handled properly. The use of species-specific restraint devices can be a great help when you may not have an additional person to assist in handling an animal. Second, it is necessary to be familiar with the species-specific behaviors of an animal, including signs of aggression or fear, which may precede an injury to the handler. If you are not comfortable with the proper handling techniques or normal behavioral patterns of an animal, please feel free to call a member of the BRL veterinary staff for further training. Third, you should wear appropriate protective clothing to avoid injuries, which may include reinforced rubber, cloth, or leather gloves, depending on the species to be handled.

Although allergies are not considered a zoonotic disease, they are one of the most important conditions that may severely impair one’s ability to work around animals. It has been reported that approximately 30% of individuals who work with laboratory animals will develop allergies. Of these, one-third may develop a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma. Anyone who already has allergies to animals may have an even greater risk of developing allergies to laboratory animals.

Of the commonly used research animals, rodents, rabbits, birds, and cats are the species that are most often associated with a serious allergic response in sensitive individuals, while nonhuman primates, pigs, and ruminants seem to cause fewer allergic reactions. Nevertheless, people may develop allergies to any type of animal. Depending on the species, dander, urine, or saliva contains the substances that cause allergies. These allergens are present on dust particles and water droplets in the animal room, which is the reason individuals with allergies can have an allergic reaction just by being in the same room as an animal. It is important to limit exposure to these allergens by wearing appropriate protective clothing such as a long sleeve lab coat or gown, gloves, respirator mask, and even eye protection and by minimizing contact with the animals that cause problems for the sensitized person.

It is important to note that the blue dust masks available in the animal rooms at the BRL do not provide much respiratory protection from allergens. Only respirator-type masks (model N95) provide protection from animal allergens. To use a respirator mask, you must receive medical clearance from University Health Service and be fitted for the mask by the University Environmental Health and Safety department. If you have allergic reactions to any of the animals at the BRL, you should consider consulting with your physician or an occupational medicine physician at University Health Service about proper respiratory protection and/or treatment of animal allergies. Ignoring the problem may one day result in an inability to work with certain species due to severe allergic reactions.

Nonhuman Primates - Of all the commonly used laboratory animals, nonhuman primates have the greatest potential to transmit serious zoonotic diseases due to their biological similarity to humans. For this reason, the UIC Occupational Health and Safety Program requires all individuals to participate in a zoonotic disease orientation prior to working with these animals. The most important zoonotic diseases is Herpes B or Cercopithecine herpesvirus-1, which is transmitted to humans from macaque monkeys. The disease usually does not cause any symptoms in an affected monkey, but can cause fatal encephalitis in humans if it is not diagnosed and treated. Another disease that can be passed both from nonhuman primates to humans and from humans to nonhuman primates is tuberculosis (TB). In order to protect both the humans and the animals, people who work with nonhuman primates are tested for TB yearly and the entire primate colony is TB tested every three months. Other major zoonotic concerns are a variety of intestinal illnesses which can be passed to humans. Many of the pathogens that cause diarrhea in nonhuman primates may also affect people in the same manner. Some of these agents include the bacteria Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, and various other intestinal parasites. Affected nonhuman primates are often asymptomatic, but are still able to pass the infection to humans.

The most important zoonotic disease of dogs and cats is rabies. All dogs and cats used at UIC are vaccinated against this disease, so there is minimal risk of exposure to this virus. Certain intestinal parasites of dogs can cause visceral or cutaneous larval migration in humans, which refers to the movement of immature worms through the internal organs or skin of an infected human. There are also external organisms, such as the mange mites and ringworm, which can establish skin infections in people.

Cats can potentially cause two important zoonoses, cat scratch disease and toxoplasmosis. Cat scratch disease, which can also be caused by dog scratches, usually causes flu-like symptoms, including a pustule at the wound site, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Children or teenagers are more likely to develop signs of this disease than adults. Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by handling feces from an infected cat or ingesting undercooked meat. This disease does not have much affect on adults, but can cause severe birth defects if a woman is exposed to this organism during pregnancy. To reduce the risk of exposure, pregnant women should not handle feces from cats and avoid eating undercooked meat.

Pregnant ruminants are capable of transmitting Coxiella burnetti to humans. This organism causes Q fever, which can lead to damage to the heart valves in humans. The organism is found in the placenta and other birth products of infected ruminants. Due to reports of laboratory workers contracting this disease in a research facility, UIC has a specific employee health program for those individuals who will be working with pregnant ruminants.

Sheep and goats may transmit contagious ecthyma or orf to humans. Infected animals have a skin lesion around the mouth or on the feet. Infected humans develop a painful lesion on the skin that was in contact with the animal, usually the hands or arms.

Calves commonly are infected with an intestinal pathogen, Cryptosporidium parvum. This protozoan causes watery diarrhea in infected calves and people. There is no treatment, except to let it run its course, so it is best to avoid contracting the disease.

Erysipelas is a disease that is potentially fatal to pigs. It is characterized by discoloration of the affected animal’s skin. In humans, the disease presents itself as a painful skin infection. Infection with orf or erysipelas in a human can easily be prevented by wearing gloves when handling potentially infected ruminants or swine, respectively.

Although most of the rodents housed at the BRL are free of organisms that cause disease in humans, one should be aware of several zoonotic diseases that can be contracted from rodents. The most significant of these diseases is lymphocytic choriomeningitis, which is caused by a virus carried by hamsters and mice. The virus can cause symptoms in humans that range from a flu-like illness to infection of the tissue around the brain. Rodents may also carry organisms, such as ringworm, mites, and tapeworms, which can be transmitted to humans.

Researchers conducting field studies of wild rodents are at increased risk of contracting a zoonotic disease than researchers using laboratory rodents. Wild rodents are known to be vectors of numerous pathogenic agents that can cause disease in humans. The infected rodent is often healthy, so appearance alone cannot be used to determine if an animal is carrying a zoonotic disease. Some of the diseases carried by wild rodents are bubonic plague, rat bite fever, hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, and various external and internal parasites. Please consult with a veterinarian at the BRL concerning specific diseases associated with wild rodents and minimization of transmission of disease to humans.

Most of the zoonotic diseases that may be transmitted from laboratory rabbits to humans are skin infections caused by ringworm or mites. Rabbits may be unapparent carriers of ringworm, which causes an itchy, circular lesion in humans. Rabbits also may carry certain mites on the skin and hair, which may bite humans.

Many types of birds, including poultry and parrots, can transmit psittacosis to humans. This disease may have many different presentations, depending on the susceptibility of the infected person. Birds may also carry avian tuberculosis, which usually infects the intestinal tract, rather than the lungs, of a human.

Reptiles, especially turtles, have been reported as carriers of the intestinal bacterial agent, Salmonella. Although this bacterium may not cause clinical signs in an infected animal, it can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping in infected humans.

Amphibians and fish have been implicated in transmitting certain mycobacterial diseases to humans, usually as a result of handling the animals or the tank water without gloves. Infection of humans often presents as painful skin lesions called aquarist’s nodules.

Finally, many amphibians have toxic substances in their skin. In the wild, these compounds are meant to protect the animal from predators. Although most of these substances are not fatal to humans, they can cause irritation of the skin. Dermatitis due to these toxins can be avoided by wearing gloves when handling amphibians.

While most laboratory animals at the BRL are free of zoonotic diseases, it is important that all individuals who work with animals are aware of potential pathogenic organisms that may be carried by common laboratory animals. The UIC Animal Care Program strives to minimize zoonotic disease in humans through the Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring For or Using Laboratory Animals. In addition, signs of disease that may affect humans or other animals are detected through the quarantine and preventative medicine health programs that exist for all the species housed at the UIC. By following the simple guidelines presented at the beginning of this section, one can minimize the risk of contracting disease from animals. Further information on diseases associated with a certain species may be obtained by contacting a member of the veterinary staff.

The final section of the brochure focuses on hazardous agents. The ACC Occupational Health Program for Personnel Caring for or Using Laboratory Animals is not designed to directly cover individuals administering hazardous materials (radionuclides, carcinogens and infectious agents) to animals. Individuals using such materials in animals must adhere to the Institution's Programs on Radiation Safety, Chemical Hygiene and Blood Borne Pathogens. These programs are administered through the Institution's Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) and are based upon Federal and State regulations.

The ACC recognizes that the use of hazardous materials may be necessary to carry out the research mission of UIC and therefore provisions have been made to identify their use in animals through the UIC Protocol for Animal Use. In Form A, item 9a, of the protocol form, investigators are required to identify use of the following hazardous agents: carcinogens, biohazards, chemical hazards, radioisotopes, and protocols using recombinant DNA and human tumor lines in animals who will be housed in ACC approved animal facilities. Investigators who indicate they are using such agents are required to describe precautions, containment facilities, protective devices, carcass disposal, clean-up procedures, and other necessary safety procedures in place to protect personnel and prevent accidental animal exposure. The establishment of these precautionary measures is the responsibility of the investigator who should develop them in consultation with the appropriate representative(s) from the Radiation Safety Office, the Environmental Health and Safety Office, and University Health Service, as well as the BRL Veterinary Staff. The ACC considers personnel safety to be of the utmost importance and will not approve a protocol unless the section on hazardous materials has been appropriately completed. In addition, if you are using the following types of compounds in animals:

1) Radionuclides - you must include your Radionuclide Project Authorization Number in the Protocol for Animal Use. Your protocol will not be approved until you have obtained appropriate authorization from the Radiation Safety Office. In addition, prior to administering radionuclides to animals that will be maintained in the BRL or MBRB, you will need to submit to the Radiation Safety Office a Request to Add Lab to a Radiation Project Authorization form. This form requires the signature of the investigator and the Director of the BRL.

2) Recombinant DNA - you must include your Biosafety Committee Approval Number in the Protocol for Animal Use. Your protocol will not be approved until you have obtained appropriate authorization from the Institution's Biosafety Committee. In addition, you must include the biosafety level of the vector and precautionary measures should be developed using the CDC's publication on Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.

3) Biohazards - you must include the biosafety level of the agent. Precautionary measures should be developed using the CDC's publication on Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/msds-ftss for MSDS-like information on infectious agents.

4) Carcinogens and Chemical Hazards - you must include as an attachment the agent's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). www.setonresourcecenter.com/MSDS for MSDS on a variety of chemical agents.

BRL Vet Staff: working hours - (312) 996-7040; after hours - (312) 413-0057

University Health Service: (312) 996-7420

UIC Emergency Room: (312) 996-7298

Radiation Safety Office: working hours - (312) 996-7429; after hours - (312) 996-8440; Web site - http://www.uic.edu/depts/envh

Environmental Health and Safety Office: working hours - (312) 996-7223; after hours pager -(312) 996-2695; Website http://www.uic.edu/depts/envh

Biosafety Committee: For information on obtaining Recombinant DNA Protocol forms, call (312) 996-7427; Website http://www.uic.edu/depts/ovcr

• Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals, 4th ed. National Research Council, National Academy Press, 1999.

• Zoonosis Updates. American Veterinary Medical Association, 1998.