Live Animals for Research

Employees who work with or around wild, domestic or laboratory animals may be at risk for a number of infectious diseases associated with animal handling. Exposure to biomechanical hazards can occur with lifting cages or feed bags and physical trauma due to bites and scratches from animals. Infectious diseases spread through contact with animals, animal excretions or biologic materials include Rabies, Q-fever, Brucellosis, Herpes B virus, Hantavirus and Tuberculosis. In addition, the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) has documented that small proteins from animal dander or animal products can produce a spectrum of allergic responses from common allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis to life threatening asthma. In accordance with NIOSH recommendations, employees are required to complete the Animal Safety training courses (www.fiu.edu/~ehs) and enroll in the FIU Medical Surveillance Program.