Environmental Health and Safety
Career and Protective Services
HANDLING ANIMALS EXPOSED TO INFECTIOUS AGENTS: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
DESCRIPTION:
In the course of research, laboratory animals may be exposed to infectious agents, including viral vectors for
gene transfer. This SOP addresses procedures for performing animal caretaking safely after the animals have
been infected.
Animals have the potential to shed virus in their excreta, particularly during the first 48 hours after infection.
The precautions outlined below are designed to protect employees in these situations.
These procedures must be followed for the first week after infection AND until the contaminated bedding is
changed. All bedding used for the first week after infection will be considered contaminated. The procedures
may need to be modified depending on the type of animal, number of infections, or nature of infectious agent.
NOTIFICATION and SIGNAGE:
Laboratory staff must make arrangements for housing these animals and for disposing of the contaminated
bedding by contacting the appropriate animal caretaker supervisor before dosing begins.

Contact Vivarium supervisor (Ramiro Montano, Bruce Wilkison or Darryl Adams) one (1) week prior
to administration to arrange housing of animals and to obtain cage cards (orange) labels.

Laboratory workers must label the cage of that animal with a cage card that bears the name of the agent
and the date of exposure.

An exposure control plan (ECP) sign must be completed and attached to the front of the door where the
animals will be housed (Door sign must match cage cards labels)
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Employees must wear appropriate personal protective equipment for handling animals, cages, and bedding:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Disposable gown
Latex/nitrile gloves
Shoe covers
Safety glasses (if animals handled outside of a biosafety cabinet or ventilated cage-changing station)
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
 Animals will be housed only in micro-isolation cages.
 Cages will be changed by animal resources staff in a ventilated cage-changing station or a biological safety
cabinet
Environmental Health and Safety
Career and Protective Services
HANDLING ANIMALS EXPOSED TO INFECTIOUS AGENTS: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
WORK PRACTICES:
 Employees will wash hands before donning and after removing gloves.
 Gloves will be changed at least every 2 hours and when they become torn or obviously contaminated.
 Contaminated bedding shall be collected inside of a biosafety cabinet or ventilated cage-changing station.
Bedding must be collected into labeled biohazardous waste buckets lined with red bags. Please call EH&S
for immediate pickup of contaminated bedding (HSC & UPC 323-442-2200).
 Decontamination of the ventilated cage-changing station or biological safety cabinet will consist of surface
cleaning with a 5% bleach solution or other appropriate disinfectant. Cleaning will proceed from least to
most contaminated areas.
Carcass and Waste Disposal:
 Animals treated with biohazardous materials must be disposed in a red biohazard bag and into a
pathological bucket (vivarium or lab freezer). Call EHS for pick up (323) 442-2200.
 Animal treated with both biological and chemical agents are disposed in a clear Ziploc bag labeled with
chemical sticker. Place carcass in lab freezer and call EHS for pick up.
 Bedding of animal treated with biohazardous materials will be disposed as biohazardous waste one week
post administration of agent.
 Bedding of animal treated with chemical agents will be disposed as chemical waste one week post
administration of agent.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at (323)442-2200 or send
an email to IBC@admin.usc.edu
University of Southern California
Laboratory Safety (323) 442-2200
ANIMAL HANDLER PRECAUTIONS
Building:
Room Number:
Certain animals in this room are part of an approved experiment involving biohazardous materials. The requirements
below apply to this experiment.
Principal Investigator:
Department:
Phone:
Emergency Contact Person:
Phone:
IACUC Protocol:
Identification of Hazard(s):
ABSL: 2
Required PPE
1. Disposable gown
2. Latex/nitrile gloves
3. Shoe covers
4. Safety glasses (if animals handled outside of a biosafety cabinet or ventilated cage-changing station)
Special Instructions
1. Prior to injection of agent, arrangements for housing and bedding disposal must be made with an animal
caretaker supervisor.
2. All animals must be housed in micro-isolation cages.
3. Individual cages must be labeled with biohazard cage card upon injection of agent. The label must
indicate the name of the agent and the date of injection.
4. All animal handling must occur inside a certified biological safety cabinet or ventilated cage-changing
station.
5. Contaminated bedding shall be collected inside a biosafety cabinet or ventilated cage-changing station.
Bedding must be collected into labeled biohazardous waste buckets lined with red bags. Please call
EH&S for immediate pickup of contaminated bedding (HSC & UPC 323-442-2200)
6. Biosafety cabinet or ventilated cage changing station must be decontaminated with 5% bleach solution
or other appropriate disinfectant after use or cage change.
7. Remove gloves and wash hands with soap and water upon leaving room.
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
WHEN WORK WITH INFECTIOUS AGENTS IN PROGRESS
University of Southern California
Laboratory Safety (323) 442-2200
BIOSAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Building:
Room Number:
Identification of Hazard(s):
Biosafety Level: 2
Principal Investigator:
Emergency Contact Person:
Date:
Authorized Personnel:
Department:
Phone:
Phone:
IBC Protocol#: