IACUC Updates /
Health and Safety Training
Elaine Major, Director of Institutional Compliance
215 Wannalancit, ext. 3452
Dr. Scott Perkins, VMD, MPH, ACLAM
Cell 617-947-5770 or email scott.perkins@tufts.edu
Amy Finneral, Animal Research Compliance Manager
618 Olsen, ext. 4698

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Updates
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Dr. Peter Gaines, IACUC Chair in Jan. 2013!
Updated Policies and Procedures on web
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition
(Guide), adopted by NIH 1-1-12 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/Guide-for-the-careand-use-of-Laboratory-animals.pdf
Facility updates
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Per diems- estimate 10% increase, possibly billed through CRF
Occupational Health Evaluation REQUIRED
Schedule all activities in facility (esp. procedure room)
Risks from Working with Animals and Zoonoses

 Core Research Facility process for billing
 Updated Information on website
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Forms http://www.uml.edu/Research/OIC/animaluse/forms.aspx
Guidelines and Policies
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Murine Tail Biopsy
Physical Restraint and Immobilization
Use of Freund’s Adjuvant

 Protocols approval PRIOR to animal use
 To assure NIH OLAW in compliance with PHS and
USDA requirements
 AV available to assist and provide recommendations
 Include options to provide flexibility
 Procure all supplies before initiating project
 Review approved protocol with all research personnel
 Review protocol often and update with amendments
 If not enough detail, will not go on meeting agenda

 Training Required
 CITI training (regulatory information), every 3 years
 Occupational Health Clearance, annually
 EHS Lab Safety Training, annually
 Animal Handling Training Session, as needed
 Research specific activities (PI), as needed
 No eating or drinking in facility
 No cell phone use (photography policy)
 PPE required
 Schedule activities with facility manager

 Use controlled substance log as necessary
 NO transport of animals outside facility without specific approval ( Refer to Animal Transport Policy)
 Report ANY incident
 Include description of what occurred, reasons why you think it occurred, what was done to alleviate pain/distress for the animal, suggested revisions to address and prevent the problem from recurring
 OIC investigates and files reports with OLAW, as appropriate
 IACUC can stop activities if necessary

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OIC provides:
 Cages (unless special)
 Regular food and bedding
 PPE
 Euthanasia supplies
 Supplies for facility training
 Basic housekeeping supplies
Researchers provide:
 All needles, syringes, surgical equipment, etc.
 Drugs/materials as noted on protocol
 Other materials specific to research activity

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Submit visit requests to OIC with justification for approval
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Generally not approved to see how animal research is conducted
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Visitors must verify that they have not been in any other animal facility on the day of the visit
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Visitors must wear appropriate PPE

• For animals found dead, update census information on cage card and review protocol to follow procedures for carcasses
• PI is notified (referencing protocol number and cage number or cage card information) to determine if necropsy desired
• If no handling instructions or PI is unavailable, animal is placed in a plastic bag and put in designated freezer
• For USDA regulated species, record Found Dead (FD) is noted in the animal's medical record
• ORS Manager contacts EH&S for pickup and disposal of carcasses when the freezer is full.

 Schedule all activities in facility
 Bring all research supplies
 Wear protective clothing (for you and animals!)
 Gloves, shoe covers, lab coat, mask, goggles
 Dispose of used PPE in facility
 Report ANY injury from an animal
 Report ANY incident affecting an animal
 Clean up work area and wash hands before leaving
 Dispose of sharps and materials appropriately

 Document concern or incident asap
 Date, time, and location incident occurred
 Describe what happened
 Include names of personnel involved
 Outline actions to prevent re-occurrence
 Notify OIC and AV immediately!
 For reporting any general concerns
 Email (Amy Finneral or Elaine Major)
 Phone (Anonymous Hotline x3100)
 Intercampus mail

 Provide enough detail in your protocol
 Follow protocol procedures as approved
 All personnel must complete training
 Follow the protocol and submit amendments if necessary
 Understand risks and how to minimize them
 Be respectful- may not agree but need to follow AV and
IACUC’s directives to ensure UML is in compliance
 Use the resources provided by the AV

 LOW risk if follow precautions
 EXTREMELY LOW risk of disease using animals from reputable sources
 Immunization awareness
 Tetanus required, Hepatitis B recommended
 Occupational Health Clearance
 Baseline
 Annual review

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Essential part of the overall Program of Animal Care and Use at UML
Required for anyone working with animals or entering facility
Goal to identify personnel with animal allergies and determine PPE or equipment available to protect them
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Complete Baseline Health History Questionnaire
Email to Jeanne.cotter@allonehealth.com or
Fax with Cover Sheet to All One Health, Attn: Jeanne
Cotter, (781) 938-4686
Reviewed by a health professional and clearance sent to EHS and the Facility Manager before allowed access to the facility

 Aerosol (inhalation)
 Ex. gases, centrifuging, flaming, shaking, pouring, etc.
 Ingestion (swallowing)
 Ex. Water or food with Salmonella or Giardia
 Absorption (skin, mucus membranes, open wounds)
 Ex. Material splashed on skin or open wound exposed directly to animal or materials used
 Skin penetrated (punctures)
 Ex. Accidental needle sticks, cuts, or bites

 Injuries
 Bites, scratches, needle sticks
 Repetitive motions
 Working with equipment
 Allergies
 Airborne contaminants
 Zoonoses
 Bloodborne pathogens (biohazards)
 Biological and Chemical agents

 Notify your supervisor
 Thoroughly wash site with soap and water
 Report any bite or scratch
 Flu like symptoms w/in several days after bite
 Seek medical attention as necessary
 Call ext. 2911 if serious or go to an ER
 Prevention: Complete animal handling training and use proper restraint techniques

 Allergies affect ~30% of all workers
 Caused by proteins from a variety of fluids/tissues from many animal species
 Worsen after repeated exposure
 Can lead to asthma
 Symptoms: runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, cough, sneezing, hives/skin rashes
 Precautions: PPE, wash hands, respirators, antihistamines, allergy shots
 Severe reactions: Call 2911 or go to an ER

 Airway problem due to severe allergic reaction
 Life threatening and can develop quickly
 Symptoms:
 Hives: red, itchy, raised blotches on the skin
 Itchy watery eyes, runny nose
 Increased heart rate
 Wheezing, stridor, coughing
 Nausea & vomiting
 Swelling of the face

 Disease transmitted from animals to humans
 viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa
 internal and external parasites
 Very rare in commercially bred animals and sporadic
 Prevention: use PPE, get animals from reputable vendors, personal hygiene, avoid bedding and contaminated water, monitor animals for infection

 Learn about animals you work with
 Understand mode of transmission for infectious agents
 Assess potential for aerosolization, splash, or contamination and reduce risk of exposure
 Evaluate waste handling
 Identify how emergencies or spills could occur
& implement preventative measures

• Biological products (cell lines, blood, etc.) are the most common source for introduction of infectious disease to a colony
• ALL biological products must be tested prior to use (PCR, etc.)
• Even products (blood, serum) that have been passaged in rodents may be contaminated

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Zoonotic Parasitic and Fungal Diseases
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Ringworm
Giardia
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Mange
Tapeworm
Note: Minimal risk in vendor-acquired animals

Ringworm
(Trichophyton or Microsporum sp.)
Species: all species
Animals: asymptomatic; alopecia (hair loss) & circular areas of flaky skin
Humans: asymptomatic; raised area of itchy, flaky, red skin
Mode of Transmission: direct contact
Diagnosis: culture, Woods Lamp
Treatment/Prevention: oral & topical medications and good sanitation, use PPE’s

(Trichophyton or Microsporum sp.)

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; diarrhea
Humans: asymptomatic; diarrhea, vomiting
Mode of Transmission: fecal-oral route
Diagnosis: fecal examination
Treatment/Prevention: Oral medication, through sanitation/removal of wastes and routine fecal analysis of colony

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; itching, dermatitis
Humans: itching, dermatitis
Mode of Transmission: direct contact
Diagnosis: skin scrape
Treatment/Prevention: topical medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

Species: mice & rats (from pet stores)
Animals: asymptomatic; wasting/weight loss
Humans: asymptomatic; vomiting, diarrhea
Mode of Transmission: fecal-oral route
Diagnosis: fecal floatation
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

 Staphylococcus
 Streptococcus
 Tetanus
 Campylobacter
 Salmonella
 Pasturellosis
 Rat-bite fever

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; small skin blisters, ulcers and wounds
Humans: asymptomatic; small skin blisters, ulcers and wounds, septicemia
Mode of Transmission: exposure through non-intact skin/wounds
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

Species: all
Animals: rigid limbs
Humans: rigid limbs
Mode of Transmission: inoculation through skin
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s, vaccination
Before vaccinations!

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; diarrhea
Humans: asymptomatic; diarrhea, vomiting
Mode of Transmission: fecal-oral route
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; diarrhea
Humans: asymptomatic; diarrhea, vomiting
Mode of Transmission: fecal-oral route
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

Species: all
Animals: asymptomatic; abscesses, septicemia
Humans: asymptomatic; localized infection in the skin
Mode of Transmission: skin puncture
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

Species: rats
Animals: asymptomatic
Humans: flu-like symptoms, rash, arthritis
Mode of Transmission: scratch or bite
Diagnosis: culture
Treatment/Prevention: oral medication, good sanitation and use of PPE’s

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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
(LCMV)
Hantaan virus (never reported in US commerically bred rodents)

LCMV (Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus)
Species: mice & rats
Animals: asymptomatic; general poor condition
Humans: flu-like symptoms, joint/muscle pain
Mode of Transmission: exposure to saliva/urine
Diagnosis: ELISA & antibody test
Treatment/Prevention: supportive care of symptoms, sentinel program, us of PPE’s
Note: risk is primarily for wild-caught animals

Species: rats & mice
Animals: asymptomatic
Humans: flu-like symptoms, kidney damage, hemorrhaging & respiratory failure
Mode of Transmission: exposure to urine, saliva or feces
Diagnosis: Antibody detection
Treatment/Prevention: anti-viral therapy, supportive care of symptoms, good sanitation and use of PPE’s
Note: risk is primarily for wild-caught animals

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Risk higher!!!
Rabies
Listeriosis
Leptospirosis
Typhus
Typhoid fever
Yersinia pestis (plague)
Other ecto- and endoparasites
 Scrub typhus
 Other rickettsial diseases

 Complete all training
 Follow facility policies
 Use PPE
 Understand risks
 Follow protocols and safety precautions
 Ask questions
 Report ANY incidents, problems, or injuries
 Contact us for help
 Questions???