If You Work with Dogs Or Cats

If you work with Dogs or Cats… parasitic infections that can constitute a Occupational Health and significant hazard to personnel. The main risks associated with working with Safety Program (OHSP) for dogs and cats are bites and scratches. If you work with Hazardous Agents… Sometimes scratches or bites can Personnel with Laboratory result in infections. Cat bites can The proper use of hazardous biological, Animal Contact result in particularly severe chemical, and physical agents in animals infections. Cat scratch fever depends on careful planning, proper Each VA facility with an animal research (Bartonellosis) is caused by a training, and careful attention to prescribed program must establish an OHSP to protect rickettsial organism and is work practices. Signs should be posted the personnel who are involved in animal characterized by flu-like symptoms indicating the nature of the hazard, research, or who are otherwise at risk of and swollen lymph nodes. necessary precautions, and emergency exposure to animals or their (unfixed) contact information. The PPE needed tissues or fluids. The purpose of this Rabies depends on the agent in use, but in all brochure is to explain the components of cases gloves should be worn and hands the OHSP, and provide information on how The likelihood of contracting rabies as a should be washed after handling potentially you can minimize the chance of any result of a bite is now very low because contaminated materials. A biological safety adverse health effects from working with research dogs and cats are typically cabinet should be used when handling laboratory animals. vaccinated for rabies. Nevertheless, it is infectious materials, especially if there is a recommended that persons in contact with potential for generation of aerosols, and a Who should participate? All personnel dogs or cats be vaccinated against rabies. fume hood should be used when handling who work with animals or unfixed toxic chemicals or radioactive materials. tissues in VA research must be given If you work with Rodents or Rabbits… The measures must be appropriate for the the opportunity to enroll in the OHSP at Allergies are common among specific hazard, as determined by the the VA facility at no charge. personnel who work with Safety/Biosafety Officer in consultation with Furthermore, individuals who may have rodents (e.g., mice, rats, guinea pigs, the investigator, the Subcommittee on intermittent animal exposure must also hamsters) and rabbits. If you have pre- Research Safety, and the veterinarian. be given the opportunity to enroll (e.g. existing allergies or if you experience a IACUC members, housekeeping staff, runny nose, itchy eyes, or skin rashes when FOR FURTHER INFORMATION physical plant, VA police officers) You may choose to decline to receive working around these species you should The services offered in your report these symptoms immediately to OHSP services that aren’t required to program may differ somewhat protect the health of personnel and Occupational Health. Measures can be from those described in this taken to limit your exposure to allergens, animals. To enroll, contact your VA pamphlet. For further research administrators or thereby reducing the severity of symptoms information, contact your and decreasing the likelihood that Occupational Health. research administrators or symptoms will worsen. Occupational Health. More guidance in What is included? The services you Rodents and rabbits this area can be found in VHA Handbook receive will depend on the type and obtained from commercial 1200.07, "Use of Animals in Research." frequency of exposure, and your medical sources have a low risk of history. A medical surveillance transmitting zoonotic diseases. However, questionnaire is often used to assess your animals caught in the wild can harbor a individual risk factors. A health professional variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and will review your responses and determine the frequency and type of interaction (tuberculin testing, immunizations, etc.) with ANIMAL EXPOSURE RISKS Protect Yourself from Allergies! the OHSP.  Work in a clean, well-ventilated The hazards associated with handling environment. animals can be divided into three categories:  Wear appropriate PPE such as a lab coat and disposable gloves, and 1) Physical Hazards. Examples of such never rub your face or eyes until hazards include animal bites and scratches, you have removed your gloves and sharps injuries, injuries associated with washed your hands thoroughly. moving cages or equipment, and adverse consequences from excessive noise or  It may be helpful to wear a surgical- accidental exposure to workplace. The type mask to reduce airborne key to preventing these injuries exposure in animal rooms. If you is proper training and need a respirator, you must be meticulous attention to medically cleared, fit tested and proper work practices. trained annually.

 Use appropriate 3) Zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases techniques for animal handling and are those that can be transmitted from restraint. animals (or animal tissues) to humans.  Do not recap needles and dispose of Although a substantial number of animal sharps in approved containers. pathogens may cause disease in humans,  Employ good ergonomic practices to zoonotic diseases are not common in modern animal facilities, largely because of avoid muscle sprains and repetitive prevention, detection, and eradication motion injuries. programs.  Wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a Unfortunately some infections of animals lab coat, gloves, eye and hearing may produce serious disease in humans protection. even when the animals themselves show few (if any) signs of illness. Therefore, you 2) Allergies. Allergic reactions to animals must be aware of possible consequences are among the most common conditions when working with each species of animal that affect the health of workers exposed to and take precautions to minimize the risk of laboratory animals. Sneezing, itchy eyes, infection. If you experience flu-like and skin rashes are typical clinical signs, symptoms or other signs of illness, be but in serious cases, asthma or anaphylaxis sure to tell your doctor that you work may occur. Allergens include urine, dander, with animals, just in case your illness is and saliva, especially from rodents. You can related to your work with animals. limit exposure to allergens by using appropriate PPE and using safe work Prevention… practices. Common sense steps that can be taken to lessen zoonotic disease risk include:  Do not eat, drink, or apply cosmetics during pregnancy. Toxoplasma is an or contact lenses around animals. infectious agent sometimes shed in cat  Wear gloves when handling animals or feces, and it can infect the fetus of pregnant their tissues. women that do not have acquired immunity. Pregnant women should generally avoid  Use proper manual and/or anesthetic any contact with cat feces or litter boxes. restraint when working with fractious animals and/or administering hazardous agents.  Work in pairs whenever possible.  Do not recap used needles! Whenever possible, use safety devices, activate the safety feature as soon as possible and dispose them promptly in a biohazard “sharps” container.  When performing procedures such as bedding changes, blood or urine collections, or necropsies, work in biological safety cabinets or wear specialized PPE as directed.  Consult your supervisor, the Safety Officer, or Occupational Health if you need additional training at any time.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

About Bites, Scratches, and other Injuries… Contact your Supervisor and Occupational Health immediately if you are bitten or scratched, if you injure yourself while performing your job, or if you experience unusual disease symptoms.

If you are Pregnant… Working with hazardous agents and toxic chemicals is discouraged during pregnancy. Consult Employee Health and your personal physician for advice about working safely