Zoonoses are diseases of animals transmissible to humans. While incidence of zoonoses in animal handlers exposed to laboratory animals is very low, it does occur and the consequences range from minor to severe. All investigators working with laboratory animals should be aware of the various species-specific risks and the precautions against infection.
Principle investigators are responsible for education of their laboratory personnel as well as their compliance with safety measures.
Animals in some restricted research facilities classified as BL2-N and BL3-N are intentionally inoculated with infectious agents, as part of approved research protocols. When such agents are in use, room and cages must be labeled to indicate the presence of the agent. In cases where animals have been administered toxic or radioactive chemicals, that information must likewise be available on the cage card and animal room door.
Employees must be trained in the safe methods of handling the animals, bedding and cages appropriate to the risk entailed by the substance in use.
Both the Standing Committee on Animals or Institutiontal Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS) prospectively review protocols listing use of these materials to ensure adoption of procedures that minimize risks to personnel and animals.
Access to animal facilities is restricted to ARCM personnel and individuals trained in animal research and listed on animal experimentation protocols.