The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the IBC must be fully informed of studies involving use of infectious agents, or other biohazardous agents in animals. These committees and the principal investigator must concur on all aspects of containment conditions and practices essential for protection of personnel and other experimental animals. It is imperative that no hazardous work is started until complete agreement is reached. In general, submission of separate forms to each committee and written approval from each committee is required.
Work involving animals and biohazardous agents must follow all CDC recommendations for Animal Biosafety Level (ABSL) work. See the for current recommendations.
Persons performing work that involves both biohazardous agents and animals are expected to follow the applicable Standard Microbiological Practices and BMBL recommended ABSL practices.
Wastes from animals or waste animals must be handled according to the requirements for either EPA infectious waste regulations, procedures for nonregulated biological wastes as outlined in this manual, or according to the procedures developed by the Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) department.
Transportation of infected or infectious animals must be conducted in a manner that does not spread contamination. Contact the Director of LAR or the BSO for situation specific requirements.
Work with captive wild animals and certain domestic animals with unknown health history are potentially dangerous even though no experimental infectious agent or hazardous substance is used. This is because the animals may harbor zoonotic disease capable of infecting other animals or humans. Unless the absence of pathogens is determined by appropriate screening procedures, it is best to regard questionable animals as potentially infectious. Appropriate biosafety precautions must be developed by the PI that are specific to the work conducted.
Transplantable rodent tumors are of particular concern since it has been shown that they frequently harbor a variety of indigenous viruses, such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a Class 3 human pathogen. Before a ranging to obtain tumor-bearing rodents of unknown health history from sources outside 91原创, it is imperative that the LAR and EHS be informed to assure availability of a suitable isolation room. Screening procedures for detection of indigenous viruses in transplantable rodent tumors should be performed before use.
