Download Occupational Health Program for Employees with Animal

Occupational Health Program for
Employees with Animal Exposures
Objectives
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Purpose of Program
Animals and Human Health Risk
Sources of Exposure
Allergy Symptoms
Minimize Risk = Minimizing Exposure
Zoonoses
Hazard agents used in research animals
Post test
Purpose of Program
This training is intended for employees who do not directly
handle animals but may otherwise have some exposure to
animals. Employees with animal exposure are present in the
same room on occasions but are not in direct contact or do
not provide direct care of the animals. Examples include
Facilities Services employees such as HVAC and maintenance
personnel who may enter animal facilities on occasions or
research personnel who work in the same lab where animals
are present. In contrast, animal handlers include research
animal handlers and animal caretakers. These employees are
in physical contact with the animals because of their research
and/or provide direct care for the animals. These employees
are required to participate in the annual occupational health
surveillance program for animal handlers.
ANIMALS AND HUMAN HEALTH RISKS
LABORATORY ANIMAL ALLERGY
Some studies report an incidence of 15% of the general population
is allergic to animals. Other studies report that 30 – 50% of people
with laboratory animal contact develop allergies. Studies report
that 10 – 15% of these allergic workers develop asthma.
Animal handlers are at risk of developing allergies. People with preexisting animal allergies (cats) or a general allergic predisposition
(atopy) are more likely to develop allergies to laboratory animals.
Allergic people may have hypersensitivity to urinary and salivary
proteins (rats, mice, cats, dogs) and dander (rabbits, guinea pigs,
dogs, non-human primates)
Sources of Exposure
Rodent urinary proteins are aerosolized on
fine bedding particles. Any activity that
disturbs bedding increases exposure. Fine
particles/allergens can be inhaled exposing
the mucous membrane and allergens in the
hair or on clothing can expose the skin. Once
sensitized, workers can develop symptoms
after exposure to only tiny amounts of
allergen.
Allergy Symptoms
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Conjunctivitis1 – red, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose
Rhinitis1 – sneezing, itchy, runny nose, congestion
Contact urticaria2 – red itching skin, welts, hives
Asthma3 – cough (can be late-phase with symptoms
starting several hours after leaving the animal facility),
wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath
• Anaphylaxis4 – itching, hives, throat tightness, fainting,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
1 = common, 2 = somewhat common, 3 = about 15 – 30%, 4 = rare
Minimize Risk = Minimizing Exposure
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Minimize time in the animal room
Wear dedicated personal protective equipment (PPE)
Open cages only in biosafety cabinets
Always wear a mask or other kinds of respiratory protection
Wash hands frequently
If you develop symptoms of allergy to lab animals, contact
University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC at
966-9119) for an appointment for a medical evaluation
• For more information contact: UEOHC 966-9119
• No eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or
handling contact lenses in any DLAM animal area.
ZOONOSES
Persons working with animals are at more of a
risk for zoonotic disease transmission than
people who do not work with animals. Zoonotic
agents are infectious agents that can be
transmitted from animals to humans or from
humans to animals. Zoonoses can cause minor or
serious illness. In some cases, the organisms
involved infect people, but they do not become
ill. Other zoonoses can be very dangerous to
people, especially anyone with an immune
system weakened by age or illness.
ZOONOSES - Bacteria
Animals may shed a variety of bacterial species
that can cause illness in people.
• Exposure to feces/urine (e.g. Salmonella,
Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Leptospira,
Yersinia)
• Bites/scratches: Bartonella (cat scratch
disease), Pasteurella & others (wound
infections)
ZOONOSES - Viruses
• Herpes virus of Macaques – potentially fatal to
humans
• Rabies virus – potentially fatal to humans
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus – rodents
• Hanta virus – mainly wild rodents
ZOONOSES - Parasites
• Gastrointestinal – giardia, cryptosporidium,
tapeworms
• Systemic – Toxoplasma (fatal defects if
pregnant women exposed to shedding cats)
ZOONOSES - Trauma
• Bites, scratches, kicks, etc.
Hazard agents used in research
animals
Animals exposed to biological, radiological, or
chemical hazards can create a risk of exposure
to people.
Immunocompromised/Pregnant
Individuals
• Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant
women should be aware of the potential zoonotic
hazards that may be present in the workplace.
• If you are undergoing chemotherapy/radiation
therapy, being treated with steroids or other drugs
that could cause immunosuppression and/or you are
pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, please
notify EHS to determine appropriate protective
measures and monitoring.
Post-Test
You have completed the Occupational Health
Program for Employees with Animal Exposures
training. If you have any questions regarding
this training or any safety and health issue,
please contact EHS at (919) 962-5507. Please
remember that in order to receive credit for
this training, you much complete the posttest.