Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Procedures

Emergency Response to Animal Exposure Incident

Research, Environmental Health and Safety  |  Approved May 14, 2015

Purpose

Respond to animal exposure incident, including monkey and non-monkey incidents.

Applicability

Employees, students, or volunteers on campus involved in an incident with a laboratory animal at a UMB facility.  This includes animal bites, scratches, splashes or any other non-prescribed or accidental exposure.  It applies to any injection, absorption, or inhalation of animal tissues or fluids.

Instructions

Animal Exposure Incident (Non-Monkey)

1. Wash the site of suspected contact with soap and water.
   • For bites and scratches: Immediately scrub and irrigate the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
   • For splashes to the eyes, nose, or mouth: Irrigate the site immediately with rapidly flowing water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Seek medical treatment.  See Receiving Medical Treatment for a Work-related Injury procedure.
3. Complete Reporting a Work-related Incident procedure.

 

Monkey Exposure Incident (Non-human Primate)

1. Wash the site of suspected contact with soap and water.
   • For bites and scratches: Immediately scrub and irrigate the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
   • For splashes to the eyes, nose, or mouth: Irrigate the site immediately with rapidly flowing water for at least 15 minutes.
2. Contact Veterinarian Resources.
   1. During work hours (Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.),
      1. Call (410) 706-3540 immediately after cleansing the site.
   2. After hours (Monday through Friday 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., and weekends),
      1. Send an emergency page to Veterinary Resources at (443) 835-9841, and
      2. Call the provider on duty at (667) 214-1886.  If unable to call, seek medical care at the UMMC Emergency Room, your personal physician, or at any local hospital. Present your UMB-Virus Medical Alert Card upon arrival.
3. Seek follow up medical treatment.  See Receiving Medical Treatment for a Work-related Injury procedure.
4. Complete Reporting a Work-related Incident procedure.