What to do in the Event of an Animal Related Exposure

On this page: Animal Exposure | Non-Human Primate ExposureFirst Aid Care

Animal Exposure (including marmosets)

  1. Cease the handling of research animals, tissues, fluids or wastes and ensure that the animals and area are secure.
  2. First aid should be administered immediately following exposure.
  3. If there is no visible damage to the glove, put it aside and fill it with water to test for leaks AFTER washing your hands and following the full first aid protocol.
  4. Report the incident to your Supervisor or the Principal Investigator.  
  5. Within 24 hours, fill out the Accident and Incident Report form.

Non-Human Primate Exposure (Macaques)

During Working Hours (8h00-16h00):

  1. Cease the handling of research animals, tissues, fluids or wastes and leave everything as is.
  2. First aid should be administered immediately following exposure.
  3. Ensure that the animals and area are secure.
  4. Report the incident to your Supervisor or the Principal Investigator.
  5. Fill out the  and contact the Occupational Health Program Administrator at (514) 398-4766 to determine the appropriate level of care and directives on how to proceed*.
  6. Within 24 hours, fill out the Accident and Incident Report form
  7. Report the injury to the veterinarian and the PI for the animal involved.

* This will open a new link to medical care following a non-human primate exposure, which requires a McGill login.

Outside of Working Hours:

  1. Cease the handling of research animals, tissues, fluids or wastes and leave everything as is.
  2. First aid should be administered immediately following exposure.
  3. Ensure that the animals and area are secure.
  4. Report the incident to your Supervisor or the Principal Investigator. If you are unable to contact them, contact the Call Centre at 514-657-5312 so that the appropriate person on call will be contacted.
  5. Fill out the   and give this to your Supervisor or PI who will then contact the Occupational Health Physician Dr. Czyziw on her cellular phone to determine the appropriate level of care and directives on how to proceed*.
  6. Within 24 hours, fill out the Accident and Incident Report form
  7. Report the injury to the veterinarian and the PI for the animal involved.

* This will open a new link to medical care following a non-human primate exposure, which requires a McGill login.

 

First Aid Following an Exposure:

For bites, scratches and lacerations:

  • Wash skin thoroughly with a solution containing detergent soap (e.g. chlorhexidine or povidone­iodine) for 20 minutes.
  • After, run water over the wound or area for 15 to 20 minutes more 
  • Control bleeding by applying direct pressure with a sterile gauze or bandage.
  • Cover wound with clean bandage (do not apply ointment or spray).

For splashes with contaminated material to the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, nose:

  • Flush eye or mucous membranes with water for 15 minutes.
  • If reaching the nearest eye-washing station requires a delay of more than a few minutes, then saline irrigation (1 L) may be used initially, followed by 15 minute irrigation at an eyewash station.
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