5.0 Personnel Safety and Health Precautions

5.1 General Precautions

Health and safety responsibilities listed in the CCAC Guide, Volume 1, apply to those involved in field studies of wild animals. It is important that investigators protect technicians, students and themselves against possible injury or exposure to potentially dangerous procedures, chemicals, animals, or animal fluids and waste. They must ensure that adequate protective measures are implemented for the humans involved during the capture of animals. The investigator also must ensure that all workers fully understand the techniques to be used for restraint and handling. Investigators should familiarize themselves with known biohazards specific to the species under study and with the methods to avoid transmission of zoonotic diseases and parasites.

5.2 Drugs and Chemicals

All drugs and chemicals used in field research should be handled in such a way as to prevent human exposure. Researchers should protect themselves against both respiratory and cutaneous exposure to drugs and chemicals as well as accidental injection . Those utilizing immobilization drugs for restraint of wild animals must have the appropriate training and information available to aid in their medical care should accidental contamination occur (see Chemical Restraint Section).

5.3 Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites

Investigators are at risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases, or those diseases and parasites transmitted from animals to humans. The degree of risk varies with the species of animal to be studied, the degree of exposure and the organisms present.

Researchers working in the field should take precautions to avoid exposure to external animal parasites such as ticks, fleas, as well as to animal feces which may contain internal animal parasite ova or larvae infective to humans.

Wild animals captured and held temporarily, cages and traps, and animals brought into holding facilities should be examined and treated for external and internal parasites which may be transmissible to other animals or humans, or can transmit infectious diseases.

Infectious organisms may be present in wild vertebrates which are a potential hazard to humans (e.g., the discovery of hantaviruses in North America). Therefore, any unusual symptoms observed in investigators, students, or technicians who handle wild vertebrates should immediately be reported to medical authorities knowledgeable about the diseases and parasites associated with wild animals.

Workers should follow the General and Specific Biohazard Precautions for handling wild animals and other special precautions as produced by the Ministry Occupational Safety Office. In summary:

1. All animal tissues, fluids and excrement should be handled so that the potential for human contact is minimized. Researchers should avoid contaminating skin and clothing with blood, body fluids or excrement. Researchers should thoroughly wash hands and any other contaminated skin surfaces with a germicidal skin cleanser immediately after handling wild animals or their samples. Researchers should also be aware that many amphibians produce toxic skin secretions. The effects of these toxins can range from mild irritation to more severe symptoms. All personnel handling amphibians should practice good hygiene and avoid rubbing their eyes after contact.
2. Appropriate precautions should be taken in order to prevent injuries from bites, scratches and skin punctures from wild animals. Even minor injuries may become infected. Basic first aid and appropriate hygiene can prevent such complications.
3. Where there is a risk from aerosolized pathogens from saliva, feces or urine, protective gear such as gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection (masks or respirators), foot protection and protective clothing should be used as necessary. The researcher should always wear disposable gloves when handling sick or dead animals.
4. All contaminated equipment should be cleaned and disinfected immediately after use.
5. All drug containers, needles, scalpel blades, suture needles and other sharp instruments should be used and disposed of in a manner which prevents accidental human injury.
6. Those individuals who are exposed to potential vectors of rabies (e.g., skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats or animals with abnormal nervous system symptoms) should immediately report the exposure to medical authorities. Those researchers working with bats may wish to consider pre-exposure vaccination. These vaccinations may be given to investigators who routinely handle high-risk species from various sources. Researchers and their assistants should also consider vaccination against tetanus in those situations where exposure to this pathogen is possible.

5.4 Venomous Snakes

Only experienced personnel should handle venomous snakes. They should never work alone and be familiar with the emergency procedures that are to be initiated in the event of an accidental bite or contact. A supply of the appropriate antivenin and a posted treatment protocol should be available at all times. In addition, a physician or medical facility should be made aware of the nature of the studies being undertaken so that proper arrangements can be made for emergency care and examination.

5.5 Allergies

Individuals with known severe allergies associated with animals, with immune deficiency diseases, or on immunosuppressant therapy, should not engage in studies involving the handling of wild animals.

5.6 Records

Investigators should maintain a standardized record of any injuries or illnesses incurred in the field or laboratory. Such information should accompany the individual requiring examination or treatment by a medical practitioner.

Researchers should also maintain a record and pertinent product information of all immobilization drugs in their possession and their usage according to the Ministry Chemical Immobilization of Wildlife Policy.