Experimental animals

Working with animals implies certain risks, such as exposure to infectious agents (both natural and laboratory-produced), bites and scratches, blows and crush injuries, allergies and physical problems (noise, temperature, etc.). When selecting equipment and drawing up procedures, as well as preventing the propagation of infectious agents to animal facility personnel, it is necessary to take into account the risk of cross-contamination between animals and accidental infection of animals by parasites and/or microorganisms.

One of the commonest risks is the appearance of allergies in personnel as a result of contact with animal hairs or fur, their bedding or their excrement. The reaction may appear after the first contact or after a series of exposures to the allergen. Symptoms range from a benign skin rash to a serious asthma attack. Exposure to these allergens can be reduced to a minimum by applying engineering or ventilation measures, using isolation cages and other containment systems, and respiratory protective equipment.

Large animals require special containment systems due to the large number of infectious microorganisms they can have around them. In the laboratory, the BSC is a primary containment device, but a box serves as both a primary and secondary barrier. Personnel must wear suitable protective equipment and clothing before entering a contaminated box. Effluents are collected and taken to a decontamination system to be treated before disposal (ABSL-3). Personnel must be specially trained to look after the welfare of the animals and know their general characteristics, especially character, instincts and physical peculiarities.

• Animal/Zoonotic Diseases, Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University
• Terrestrial Animal Health Code (WOAH)
• Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (WOAH)
• Association for Safety Assessment and Accreditation of - Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
• BMBL6 section V. Vertebrate animal biosafety level criteria

Videos

• Animal biosafety videos (ABSA)
• Basic procedures on common laboratory animal species (Norecopa)
• WOAH International Standards