University of Maryland College Park
Occupational Health
Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Revised 6/8/10
Purpose
The purpose of the Animal Handler Health and Safety Program (AHHSP) is to
protect the health of personnel and laboratory animals by providing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Health and safety information related to the use and care of animals.
Occupationally indicated immunizations.
Clinical care for individuals with animal related injuries and illnesses.
Appropriate personal protective equipment
General
1. The AHHSP is part of the University’s Occupational Health Program.
Occupational Health is located in the Health Center in Room 0106. Hours of
operation are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Wednesday. Appointments
may be made by calling (301) 314-8184.
2. University groups responsible for this program are:
University Health Center (UHC)
Urgent Care: (301) 314-9144
Occupational Health: (301) 314-8172
http://www.health.umd.edu/
Department of Environmental Safety (DES)
(301) 405-3960
http://www.des.umd.edu/
Institutional Animal Care and Use Office (IACUC)
Amanda Underwood, IACUC Manager
(301) 405-5037
http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/IACUC/
Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR)
Dr. Doug Powell, University Attending Veterinarian
(301) 405-4921
http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/IACUC/carf.htm
Eligibility
1. Enrollment in the AHHSP is required prior to working with any species of
vertebrate animals.
Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
2. Direct animal contact is defined as touching live animals, unpreserved animal
tissues or body fluids, dirty animal cages, dirty cage accessories, animal waste or
carcasses.
3. Enrollment is required for the following groups when direct animal contact is
anticipated:
A. Faculty
B. Animal caretakers
C. Animal care or research technicians
D. Graduate students and post doctoral fellow in teaching and research
labs
E. Undergraduate students working in research labs
F. Student employees
G. Facility Management employees (Pest Control) Animal facility
employees
4. Indirect animal contact is defined as entering areas where animals are used or
housed, but without handling or touching the animals.
5. Enrollment in the AHHSP is not required for individuals with indirect animal
contact working in areas such as laboratories, maintenance, housekeeping,
security, and any animal environment. Academic departments that use animals,
Facilities Management, and the UMD Police Department will be provided the
AHHSP. Facility supervisors will provide training as outlined in the AHHSP to
individuals assigned to designated animal zones.
6. Enrollment in the AHHSP is not required for students in course curricula that
require the use of vertebrate animals. Course instructors will provide training as
outlined in the AHHSP.
7. Visiting scholars and volunteers who handle vertebrate animals are required to
enroll in the AHHSP if they handle animals for more than 3 months during their
visit or work with bats for any amount of time. They are not required to
participate in the AHHSP if they already participate in an analogous program at
their home institution.
8. Organizers of University sanctioned events (e.g., Ag Day) will provide training as
outlined in the AHHSP to all volunteer workers. Appropriate hand washing
stations and signage to alert visitors of potential hazards will be provided.
Procedure
The mandatory requirements for enrollment are:
1. Completion of the Animal Handler Risk Assessment form, available at
http://www.health.umd.edu/facultystaff/occupational. The form must be signed
by the Principal Investigator (PI) or supervisor. The Risk Assessment form must
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
be updated any time there is a change in animal related duties, animal species, or
the health status of the participant that may be affected by continued animal
exposure (e.g., asthma). If species are added or deleted, the Risk Assessment
form should be re-submitted listing ALL animals, not just the new species.
2. Completion of the Animal Handler Immunization and Allergy History form, also
available at http://www.health.umd.edu/services/occupationalhealth.html. If
available, documentation of tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years should
accompany this form.
3. Submission of completed Risk Assessment and Immunization/allergy forms to
Occupational Health/Health Center, Campus Drive, Bldg. 140, Room 0106,
College Park, MD 29742. Review and approval of the completed forms by
Occupational Health is required before the individual is cleared to work with
vertebrate animals. Notification of program enrollment is sent to the individual’s
supervisor. Participants can access their clearance records at
https://des.umd.edu/training/viewanemp.cfm.
4. Completion of training.
A. Participants must complete the Principal Investigator/Animal User (PI/AU)
training sponsored by the University Attending Veterinarian. Excerpts of the
AHHSP description will be provided to training recipients.
B. Individuals who have indirect animal contact and are not enrolled in the
program should complete animal-specific training at the discretion of the
facility manager where they work. This training is provided by the facility
managers and will be documented at the facility level.
C. Posters entitled “Safety Concerns in Animal Areas” shall be posted in animal
areas, labs that use animals and associated common areas. The posters
address allergies, zoonotic diseases and traumatic injuries. A list of common
practices that can protect personnel from animal related hazards is also
provided.
D. Training for students in course curricula where animals are used is directed by
the course syllabus and provided by the instructor.
E. Volunteers and visiting scholars must complete animal-specific training
depending on their work functions. Conducting and documenting this training
is the responsibility of sponsoring faculty or staff.
F. Subject matter for training is listed in Appendix A.
Program Elements
1. General
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
A. Enrollment in the AHHSP is typically granted for three years. Individuals with
medical concerns may require annual evaluations. Enrollment is tracked in a
database maintained by Occupational Health and the Department of
Environmental Safety. To maintain enrollment, individuals must update the
Immunization and Allergy History form every three years, unless otherwise
indicated, and immunizations must be current.
B. Limits: The AHHSP is not meant to cover all the specific concerns that might
be encountered in animal facilities, areas or labs, or to limit the requirements
established for these sites. Nor does this program intend to establish
requirements for experiments that have special safety requirements such as
the use of infectious disease organisms, hazardous chemicals, lasers or
radiation sources, or for individuals with special health needs such as
pregnancy or immune deficiency.
C. Specific Risks
1. Tetanus vaccination is required every 10 years to work with any vertebrate
animal.
2. Individuals working with bats, feral animals and sheep are required to
schedule an appointment with Occupational Health for further evaluation.
3. Rabies immunization is provided to individuals who have direct contact
with research animals potentially infected with rabies; who work with
potentially infected organs or perform post-mortem examinations on
selected animals with a history of poorly defined neurological disorders;
or who capture or destroy wild animals on campus. Immunization and
titer schedules are based on CDC guidelines. Titers will be drawn every
two years (Risk Category considered frequent.)
4. Individuals who are at risk for asthma and/or animal allergies based on
their Laboratory Animal Handler Immunization and Allergy History form
will be notified by Occupational Health to schedule an appointment for
further evaluation. Any individual with a history of respiratory problems,
animal allergy, or any other related medical problem that the healthcare
provider deems appropriate may require a baseline pulmonary function
test before working with animals.
5. Individuals at risk of exposure to Q-fever include those who handle or use
products of parturition or material contaminated by them (i.e., placenta,
amniotic fluid, blood or bedding) from sheep, cattle or cats; and/or
individuals with valvular or congenital heart defects, vascular grafts and
those who are immunosuppressed. These individuals are advised of the
potential risks involved and medical clearance for duty will be determined
on a case-by-case basis by the medical provider.
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
6. Nonhuman primates are not housed at the University. For injuries
associated with non-fixed nonhuman primate tissues, CDC guidelines will
be followed.
D. Injuries and Exposures. Individuals who have an injury or an exposure from
working with or around animals need to adhere to the following procedures:
1. Perform the necessary first aid.
2. Report to the Information Desk at the Health Center. If after hours, advice
may be obtained from the After Hours Nurse Line at (301) 314-9386. If
the injury is potentially severe, individuals should call 911 or report to the
nearest emergency room.
3. Employees and supervisors must complete the Report of Work-Related
Injury forms. The forms can be found at:
http://www.des.umd.edu/riskcomm/wcomp/form/wcomp.pdf
4. Individuals must report the injury as soon as possible to their sponsoring
faculty member, instructor or supervisor.
E. Medical Records. Occupational Health records are maintained by the Health
Center. Workers’ compensation records are maintained by the Department of
Environmental Safety.
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Appendix A - Training
1. Needle use and disposal. After use, needles should be immediately placed in
an acceptable sharps disposal container. These containers should always be in the
immediate area where needles are used and never overfilled. If recapping of
needles is required, a one-handed technique should be used.
Disposal of the containers is through DES at:
https://des.umd.edu/apps/Waste/login.cfm
2. Hand Washing. Even when using gloves, hand washing is important in the
prevention of the spread of infectious organisms or other contaminants to both
personnel and animals. While the use of exam gloves will greatly decrease the
spread of contaminants from a person’s hands, they will not completely eliminate
this transfer due to micro- breaks in the glove materials, regardless of type. To be
effective, hand washing for 15 to 30 seconds with soap coupled with copious
rinsing with free flowing water is required. In situations where hand washing is
impractical, or as a supplement to hand washing, alcohol-based hand sanitizing
agents are recommended for use. In all situations, hands should be washed after
handling any potential source of infection; when exiting any animal facility or
laboratory; and prior to consuming any food or drink.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A. PPE requirements for working with animals used at the University are listed in
the tables found in Appendix A. PPE requirements vary between species,
facilities and activities. Open-toed shoes and exposed legs are generally not
allowed in animal rooms.
B. While masks (surgical or dust/mist respirators) are not required in most
situations, their use is recommended if potential exposure to animal allergens
is a concern. Signage recommending the use of face masks will be placed in
all areas housing animals that produce allergens. Dust/mist respirators
provide better protection from allergens than surgical masks. If respiratory
protection is necessary or requested, the Department of Environmental Safety
must be contacted ((301) 405-3960) to evaluate respiratory hazards and
recommend appropriate respiratory protection devices. If dust/mist respirators
are used on a voluntary basis, contact the Department of Environmental Safety
to schedule one-time, required training.
C. Non-disposable personal protective clothing such as lab coats or scrubs should
be laundered on-site in specified laundry rooms or by a professional laundry
service aware of potential hazards (not at home). A designated hook/storage
area to hang protective clothing should be used before leaving the facility
instead of wearing it back to the office or other public areas leading to
contamination of those environments.
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
D. In course curricula that require the use of animals, PPE must be used as
directed by the course syllabus.
4. Food and Drink. Food and drink intended for human consumption are not
permitted in animal or laboratory areas. The application of cosmetics or contact
lenses is not permitted in animal or laboratory areas.
5. Pregnancy. If an individual plans to become pregnant or finds she is pregnant,
she should contact her personal physician to discuss potential hazards in her work
environment.
6. Chemical Safety. Hazardous chemicals used in laboratories and research animal
facilities must be listed on the site’s Chemical Hygiene Plan. The plan must also
include work practices, procedures and policies to address potential hazards.
Training in the handling of hazardous chemicals is the responsibility of DES and
the PI (http://www.des.umd.edu/compliance/factsheet/chemhygiene.html).
Hazardous chemicals used in facilities that are not associated with laboratory
operations must be included as part of the University’s Chemical Information
List. Hazard Communication training regarding hazardous chemicals is the
responsibility of DES and the facility manager
(http://www.des.umd.edu/compliance/factsheet/hazcom.html).
7. Biological agents. Training in the handling of biological agents used in animal
laboratories and animal facilities is the responsibility of the PI, with assistance
from DES as requested.
(http://www.des.umd.edu/biosafety/infectious/index.html).
Regulated waste. Hazardous and regulated waste must be handled in accordance
with the University of Maryland waste disposal guidelines found at
http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/pickup/wdg/wdg.html. DES must be contacted for
pick up of regulated medical waste containers at:
https://des.umd.edu/apps/Waste/login.cfm
8. Physical Injuries. Physical injuries can occur from bites and scratches by bats,
ferrets, rabbits, rodents, swine, or any animal with claws and teeth or from their
immediate surroundings. Physical strain or trauma from working with animals
may occur when lifting the animals improperly or using inadequate/improper
restraint techniques. The key to prevention of these types of injuries is proper
training of research personnel by qualified individuals who have a background in
performing restraint with the species and procedures to be performed.
9. Zoonotic Diseases. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from
animals to humans. Zoonotic diseases for each species used at the University are
described below. Although not common, there is a potential for exposure to such
diseases when handling animals and/or tissues. The prevention, detection, and
eradication of zoonotic diseases from the animal facility are a primary concern of
all who work with the animals. Unfixed animal tissues, animal waste materials,
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
as well as the animals themselves may also transmit zoonotic diseases. The use of
proper PPE can reduce this risk.
10. Allergic Hazards. Allergic hazards are associated with breathing or contacting
animal hair, dander, or protein allergens. Exposure may cause acute allergies to
these (or similar allergens) or the development of allergies later in life. To reduce
exposure to allergens, and therefore sensitization, individuals should wear PPE
required for the species or procedure to be performed.
11. Rodent and Rabbit Species
A. Zoonotic Disease: Most zoonotic threats from rodents come from wild caught
species used for research, the use of contaminated rodent products or from
feral rodents gaining access to research animals. Table 1 lists some prevalent
pathogens that are transmissible from rodent and rabbit species to humans that
can be of concern. The two most common zoonotic pathogens associated with
rodents are Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus and Hantavirus.
B. Allergy: Allergic skin and respiratory reactions are quite common in
personnel working with laboratory animals. Hypersensitivity reactions to
animal allergens are serious occupational health problems that develop in
many individuals after repeated exposure. Hypersensitivity reactions include
nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching of the eyes, asthma and a
variety of skin manifestations such as redness, localized itching and flaking
skin, and hives. Of the species used in biomedical research, the guinea pig,
rabbit, mouse and rat appear to be the most allergenic. Urinary and salivary
proteins from the animal’s fur, bedding, and caging are known sources of
allergens.
Methods of prevention involve using engineering controls, administrative
controls, and. In practice this will include reduction of direct animal contact
time, use of biological safety cabinets, filter tops on animal cages, ventilated
caging rack systems, HEPA filtered bedding dump stations, and protective
clothing, surgical masks, or respirators when working with these species.
C. Wounds: Training in proper handling and restraint of rabbits and rodents is the
single most effective measure in protecting personnel from bites and scratches
from these species. Bite protection gloves can be helpful when working with
fractious rodent species, and wearing long sleeves while handling rabbits can
help in avoiding scratches
D. Protective Measures. Table 2 outlines recommendations for specific activities
associated with different risks of exposure from rodent and rabbit species.
13. Carnivore Species
A. Zoonoses: The most commonly used carnivore used at University laboratories
is the ferret. Rabies is the most significant zoonotic disease associated with
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
carnivores and is typically transmitted through bites and scratches and rarely
by fomites (virus-contaminated inanimate objects). A number of parasitic
organisms are also of concern. Even though research animals go through a
specific quarantine process, because they may be from random sources, they
can still contract and harbor certain zoonotic diseases. In addition, personnel
who work with carnivores must be aware that they can serve as vectors for the
transmission of infectious agents between their own animals and the same or
similar species that they support at UMCP. Table 3 lists some prevalent
pathogens transmissible from carnivores to humans that can be of concern.
B. Allergies. Allergies to ferrets can occur and may sensitize workers to other lab
species such as mice and rats. Allergies to cats are most commonly due to
major allergen proteins in the saliva and in sebaceous glands of the skin that
coat oil on the hair shaft. Allergic reactions to cats can come from contact
with the fur or aerosolization/inhalation of the proteins. Methods of
prevention include reduction in contact with the fur of cats (i.e., avoidance, or
full coverage of arms and hands), and possibly the use of a surgical mask if
aerosol contact is a potential (i.e., spraying down cages or runs).
C. Wounds. Besides rabies, bites and scratches from all carnivores, but especially
cats, are often associated with bacterial infections that can cause significant
morbidity, but rarely mortality.
D. Protective Measures. Table 4 outlines recommendations for specific activities
associated with different risks of exposure from carnivore species.
14. Ungulate Species
A. Zoonotic Disease. Zoonotic diseases associated with ungulate holding
facilities are usually limited when the animals are kept in closed herds with
proper vaccination and herd health programs. However, if they are kept in
outdoor housing areas, they can still acquire and harbor certain zoonotic
diseases. Of particular concern is the rickettsial disease caused by Coxiella
burnetii, commonly known as Q Fever which can be found in sheep, goats and
cattle, but is most prevalent in sheep. Q fever has a high infection rate
throughout the US. Individuals at risk of exposure to Q-fever include those
who handle or use products of parturition or material contaminated by them
(i.e., placenta, amniotic fluid, blood or bedding) from sheep, cattle or cats;
and/or individuals with valvular or congenital heart defects, vascular grafts
and those who are immunosuppressed. These individuals are advised of the
potential risks involved and medical clearance for duty will be determined on
a case-by-case basis by the medical provider. Characteristics of infection with
Coxiella burnettii:
1. The incubation period averages 20 days, with a range of 14-39 days.
2. Signs and symptoms of acute infection include the sudden onset of severe
headache, fever of 104o F or greater, chills and myalgias. The patient may
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
present with pneumonitis or clinical hepatitis. Treatment is initiated as
soon as diagnosis is suspected.
3. Serologic confirmation of the diagnosis is accomplished three months later
using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) testing of serum samples obtained at
the time of initial report, at two weeks and every 30 days from that day for
three months. Samples are sent to the Maryland state Health Laboratory.
The employee’s work status depends upon the severity of the symptoms.
Although rare in the United States, caution should be used when handling
non-fixed neural and ocular tissue from cattle because of the possibility of
exposure to prions related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. Table 5
lists some prevalent pathogens transmissible from ungulates to humans
that can be of concern.
B. Allergies. Allergies to cattle and horses have been reported, but are much less
common than those to small laboratory animals.
C. Wounds. Because of the size of these species, injuries from being stepped on,
kicked or butted can result from improper handling and restraint. Bite wounds
may also occur. Training in proper use of halters, ropes and other restraint
equipment is recommended. Wounds occurring when handling ungulates
should receive proper and immediate disinfection.
D. Protective Measures. Table 6 outlines recommendations for specific activities
associated with different risks of exposure to ungulate species.
15. Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians
A. Zoonotic Disease. Zoonotic diseases associated with fish, reptile and
amphibian research holding facilities are infrequent in incidence, but can
occur. Table 7 lists some prevalent pathogens transmissible from fish and frog
species to humans that can be of concern.
B. Allergy. Aerosolized fish proteins can potentially be a source of allergic
reactions for people and symptoms can range from allergic rhinitis to asthma.
There are also reports of occasional reactions to frog skin and secretions that
range from cutaneous to respiratory signs.
C. Protective Measures. Table 8 outlines recommendations for activities
associated with fish and frog species.
16. Bats
A. Zoonoses. Although relatively rare, rabies is the most significant zoonotic
disease associated with bats and is typically transmitted through bites and
scratches. Aerosolization of the virus in feces is possible, though transmission
to humans is rare. When housed indoors, contact with other pathogens is
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
unlikely. Wild-caught animals, however, can still harbor zoonotic pathogens.
Vaccination against rabies is common practice, but vaccines are not approved
for bats and 100% protection is unlikely. Table 9 lists some prevalent
pathogens transmissible from bats to humans that can be of concern.
B. Wounds. Besides rabies, bites and scratches from bats may be associated with
bacterial infections that can cause significant morbidity. Facilities should
have appropriate standard operating procedures for first aid of wounds.
C. Protective Measures. Table 10 outlines recommendations for specific
activities associated with different risks of exposure from bats.
17. Birds
A. Zoonotic Disease. Birds housed at the University include chickens, turkeys,
quail, ducks, pheasants, pigeons, budgies, lorikeets, canaries, finches and
owls. Zoonotic diseases associated with birds are infrequent in incidence, but
can occur. Birds are the main reservoir for human infections of Chlamydial
disease. Salmonella is also relatively common. Table 11 lists some prevalent
pathogens transmissible from avian species to humans that can be of concern.
B. Allergy. Aerosolized feather dander can be a source of allergic reactions for
people and symptoms can range from allergic rhinitis to asthma.
C. Wounds. Training in proper handling and restraint of birds is the single most
effective measure in protecting personnel from bites and scratches from these
species. Bite protection gloves can be helpful when working with fractious
species.
D. Protective measures. Table 12 outlines recommendations for activities
associated with different risks of exposure from birds. Bite protection gloves
are required when handling birds of prey.
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Table 1 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Rodents and Rabbits
Zoonosis
Agent
Species
Streptobacillus
moniliformes
Rat Bite Fever
Rodents
Routes of
Transmission
Bites, fecal-oral (S.
moniliformis)
Spririllum minus
LCM virus
Rodents
Bites (S. minus)
Aerosol, bites, direct
contact, fecal-oral
Hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome
Hantavirus
Rodents
Aerosol
Cheyletiellosis
Cheletiella
parasitovorax
Trichophyton sp.
Misrosporum sp.
Hymenolepsis nana
Rabbits
Direct contact
Rodents/Rabbits
Direct contact,
fomites
Fecal-oral
Lymphocytic
Choriomeningitis
Ringworm
Tapeworm
Rodents
Table 2 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Rodent and Rabbit
Facilities
Activity
Enter hallways or crossing thresholds
Enter animal holding room for visual
inspection
Enter animal holding room for any reason
when animals maintained pathogen free or
ABSL-2
Contact with animals or primary enclosures
Cage cleaning or change out
Harvesting tissues from animals in
procedure room or lab
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Shoe covers
Lab coat; shoe covers; mask recommended
Lab coat; shoe covers; gloves; head cover,
mask recommended
Lab coat; shoe covers; gloves; mask
recommended
Uniform; lab coat; gloves; head cover; mask
recommended
Lab coat or uniform (scrub top is acceptable);
gloves
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Table 3 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Carnivores
Zoonosis
Bite and scratch
bacterial agents
Agent
Species
Capnocytophaga
canimorsus
Cat, Ferret
Routes of
Transmission
Direct contact
Bartonella henselae
(cat scratch fever)
Cat
Pasturella multocida
Cat, Ferret
Scratch
Rabies
Rabies virus
(Lyssavirus)
Cat, Ferret
Dematomycoses
(Ringworm)
Microsporum sp.
Trichophyton sp.
Cat, Ferret
Bite, scratch, fomite
Contact with saliva,
brain
Direct contact, fomite
Acariasis
Sarcoptes scabei
Cat, Ferret
Direct contact
Bite
Table 4 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Carnivore Facilities
Activity
Enter into animal runs or pens
Cleaning procedures for caging
Direct contact with animals in animal facilities
or in the lab
Procedural manipulations in the lab
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Street clothes, lab coat or uniform
Lab coat or uniform; gloves; mask
recommended
Street clothes, lab coat or uniform; gloves;
mask recommended
Lab coat or uniform; gloves; mask
recommended
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Table 5 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Ungulates
Zoonosis
Agent
Q Fever
Coxiella burnetti
Sheep, Cattle,
Goats
Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium
bovis, avium or
tuberculosis
Pox virus
Sheep, Cattle,
swine
Routes of
Transmission
Aerosol or direct
contact; especially
when dealing with
birth products
Aerosol or direct
contact
Sheep, Goats
Direct contact
Campylobacter jejuni
Cattle, Swine,
Sheep
Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Swine
Cattle
Fecal/oral
Contageous Ecthyma
(Orf)
Campylobacteriosis
Dermatomycoses
(Ringworm)
Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy
Species
Trichophyton or
Microsporum spp.
Prion
Direct contact
Direct blood/tissue
contact with infected
tissue or
contaminated
material
Table 6 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Ungulate Facilities
Activity
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Street clothes may be worn
Entry into indoor or outdoor animal holding
areas
Direct contact with animals
Cleaning animal holding areas (indoor or
outdoor)
Contact with pregnant sheep\goats\cattle;
during parturition, their birth products, bedding
and other wastes
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Street clothes covering or uniform; exam
gloves for clinical procedures; exam gloves
may not be required for socialization or
enrichment procedures
Street clothes covering or uniform; exam or
other protective gloves. Dedicated shoes or
rubber work boots are recommended. Mask
recommended.
Street clothes covering or uniform; exam
gloves; mask recommended. Dedicated
shoes or rubber work boots are
recommended
Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Table 7 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Fish, Amphibians & Reptiles
Zoonosis
Agent
Species
Mycobacterium
xenopi, fortuitum,
marinum, chelonei
Salmonella spp.
Vibrio vulnificus
Mycobacteriosis
Salmonellosis
Vibriosis
Fish, Frogs
Routes of
Transmission
Breaks in skin surface
Frogs
Fish
Breaks in skin surface
Breaks in skin surface
Table 8 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Fish, Amphibians &
Reptiles
Activity
Direct handling of fish
Direct handling of frogs
Placing hands into the water for husbandry,
feeding, manipulating, etc.
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Exam gloves suggested; hand sanitizing
necessary
Exam gloves suggested; hand sanitizing
necessary
Exam gloves suggested; hand sanitizing
necessary
Table 9 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Bats
Zoonosis
Rabies
Agent
Rabies virus
(Lyssa virus)
Route of Transmission
Bites
Scratches
Aerosol (rare)
Table 10 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Bat Facilities
Activity
Enter animal holding room for brief visual
inspection
Contact with outside of primary enclosures
Cleaning flight cages
Direct contact with animals
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Street clothes
Lab coat or uniform; exam gloves
Lab coat or uniform; shoe covers; exam
gloves; head cover and mucous membrane
protection
Street clothes covering or uniform; exam
gloves; bite protective gloves as needed.
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Animal Handler Health and Safety Program
Table 11 - Prevalent Zoonotic Diseases of Birds
Zoonosis
Agent
Species
Psitticosis
Chlamydia psittaci
Salmonellosis
Salmonella sp.
All
Pasteurellosis
Listeriosis
Pasteurella multocida
Listeria
monocytogenes
All
All
Budgies
Routes of
Transmission
Aerosol
Direct contact
Aerosol, bites, direct
contact, fecal-oral
Aerosol
Direct contact
Table 12 – Protective Clothing Requirements for Personnel in Bird Facilities
Activity
Enter animal holding room for brief visual
inspection
Contact with outside of primary enclosures
Cleaning flight cages
Direct contact with animals
Requirements
(Hand washing should be performed upon
leaving all animal facilities)
Street clothes
Street clothes, lab coat or uniform; exam
gloves
Lab coat or uniform; shoe covers; exam
gloves; head cover; and mucous membrane
protection as appropriate
Street clothes, lab coat or uniform; exam
gloves; bite protection gloves for birds of prey
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