MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
OLIN HEALTH CENTER
ANIMAL HANDLERS MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

1. Objective
   
   To provide medical surveillance for individuals working with laboratory animals as required by the Health Research Extension Act 1985, Public law 99 - 158, 11/20/85.
   
   
2. Eligibility
   
   MSU employees who work for University Lab Animal Resources (ULAR) and are exposed to animals. Also included are MSU employees who do not work for ULAR but routinely work cleaning cages or feeding laboratory animals.
   
   
3. Content of Program
   
   
   1. Initial Examination for non-student employees
      
      
      1. Questionnaire
      2. Blood for CBC, SMAC
      3. Screening for spirometry (FVC, FEV, FEV/FVC, FEF 25-75)
      4. Review of questionnaire, blood pressure measurement, and brief physical.
      5. If working with monkeys, PPD screening and determination of measles immunity
         
      
      Initial Examination for student employees
      
      
      1. Questionnaire
      2. Blood pressure measurement
      3. Brief physical
      4. If working with monkeys, PPD screening and determination of measles immunity
      5. PFT if significant respiratory history
         
         
   2. Initial Immunizations
      (Immunizations are strongly encouraged but are not mandatory.)
      
      
      1. Tetanus vaccine if more than 10 years since last vaccination
      2. Rabies vaccine for individuals in specified jobs who either have repeated exposure to dogs and cats, or wild carnivores or unfixed necropsy specimens of non-laboratory animals
      3. Hepatitis B vaccine for individuals who work in the incinerators
         
         
   3. Periodic Examination
      
      
      1. Questionnaire every year
      2. Blood for rabies titers every other year for those individuals vaccinated
      3. Review of questionnaire, blood pressure measurement, and brief physical, i.e. heart, lung, skin for rashes, (liver) abd. palp.
      4. If working with monkeys, PPD screening every year
      5. Repeat PFT if respiratory symptoms associated with work since last visit
         
         
   4. Periodic Immunization
      (Immunizations are strongly encouraged but are not mandatory.)
      
      
      1. Tetanus every 10th year
      2. Rabies booster every other year for those individuals whose serum titers for neutralizing antibody are inadequate
         
         
4. Frequency of Examination
   
   
1. Prior to assignment
2. Annually or more frequently if questionnaire results indicate medical problems requiring more frequent exams
   
   
5. Notification of Results
   
   
1. Employers will be notified by mail which individuals have work-related problems which cause limitations on their ability to do certain types of work.
2. Employees will be informed in writing of blood and breathing test results.
   
   
6. Maintenance of Records
   
   The information on each patient, including questionnaires, medical test results, and letters, will be maintained for the duration of employee's employment.
   
   
7. Issues to be Resolved
   
   The Army is sponsoring an investigation of an experimental vaccine for Q fever. We have the protocol. There is no cost to participate. Individuals would have baseline blood and skin tests to test for immunity and then repeat tests at 21 days. They state that there have been no adverse health effects to date. ULAR has decided to defer this vaccine.

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