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ABP Infectious Agents in Non-Rodents

1. Purpose and Scope

This Animal Biosafety Procedure (ABP) provides guidance on prudent, risk-based practices, procedures, and equipment to reduce risk when inoculating infectious agents in non-rodent animal species that cannot be manipulated inside a biosafety cabinet (e.g., goats, cows, dogs, cats). The practices and procedures outlined in this document are consistent with those described for Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL-2) in the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 6th edition.

Before initiating ABSL-2 animal work: Confirm that the activity is described in an approved IBC and IACUC protocol; ensure required training is complete (including species-specific handling/restraint techniques); verify AUHSP enrollment as applicable; confirm required PPE and any respiratory protection requirements; stage a sharps container within arm’s reach if sharps will be used; and review spill and exposure response procedures.

Control measures must be selected and implemented based on the approved IBC protocol, including agent hazards, route of exposure, potential shedding, and procedural risks.

Alternative practices: Alternative practices, procedures, and equipment may be used, but they must be described in a user-generated standard operating procedure and approved by EHS and the IACUC before use.

2. Responsibilities

The Principal Investigator will ensure that personnel are made aware of the hazards associated with the infectious agent and that they receive training commensurate with their activities, including handling techniques for the particular animal species, before commencing ABSL-2 experiments. Personnel will comply with the safe work practices and procedures described within this Animal Biosafety Procedure and will promptly report incidents, near-misses, or changing conditions that could affect risk.

3. Administrative Controls

3.1 Training

  • 3.1.1 The PI is responsible for provision of laboratory-specific training for safe manipulation of the infectious agent, symptoms associated with accidental exposure, and spill and exposure-response procedures. Document all training.
  • 3.1.2 Receive training in safe handling techniques for specific animal species.
  • 3.1.3 CARE and EHS will provide additional on-site training, as necessary.

3.2 Access and Signage

  • 3.2.1 Inform the facility manager before introducing infectious agents in animals.
  • 3.2.2 Review the hazards and potential risks of the experiment, and complete IACUC module 2 and all applicable laboratory safety training before accessing the animal facility.
  • 3.2.3 The facility supervisor will ensure a hazard sign is posted at the entrance to the animal room. Researchers, EHS, and CARE staff will develop the information contained in the sign based on the approved protocol. EHS is responsible for producing signage. The sign will include:
    • The biohazard symbol and ABSL-2 designation
    • Name of the infectious agent, as well as human and animal clinical signs of infection
    • Potential shedding of the agent by the animal
    • Required personal protective equipment
    • Approved disinfectant(s)
    • Contact information for CARE and EHS

3.3 Medical Surveillance

  • 3.3.1 Participate in the Animal Users Health and Safety Program (AUHSP).

4. Work Practice and Procedure Controls

4.1 Inoculation of Animals

  • 4.1.1 See Section 6.1 for specific personal protective equipment.
  • 4.1.2 Use an appropriate manual restraint or physical restraint device. Selection of restraint method should consider risk of needlestick injury, animal stress, and likelihood of sudden movement. If the procedure or conditions of inoculation pose too high a risk with an awake animal, sedate the animal before inoculation.

4.2 Sharps Handling

  • 4.2.1 Substitute plasticware for glassware whenever possible and implement the following practices:
    • Limit the use of sharps to when no alternatives are available
    • Keep all sharps in full view at all times
    • Use only Luer-lock syringes and needles or units where the needle is integral to the syringe
    • Implement safety-engineered sharps where practical (retractable needles, needle tip shields, self-sheathing scalpels, etc.)
    • Dispose of sharps directly, without manipulation, in an approved sharps disposal container located within arm’s reach
    • Handle broken glass or other sharps with a secondary device such as forceps or broom and dustpan—not your hands
  • 4.2.2 Do not recap needles. If recapping is specifically approved by EHS and the IACUC, use either a one-handed scoop technique or forceps/tongs to place the cap on the needle.

4.3 Hygiene

  • 4.3.1 Eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying cosmetics, storing food for human consumption, and mouth pipetting are strictly prohibited in animal facilities.
  • 4.3.2 Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if a sink is not readily available.
    • For more information, see ACUP 713: Hygiene – Hand Washing

4.4 Decontamination and Spill Response

  • 4.4.1 Decontaminate work surfaces and equipment with an appropriate disinfectant as defined in the approved IBC protocol. Allow sufficient contact time to achieve disinfection (commonly at least 5–10 minutes unless otherwise specified).
  • 4.4.2 Cover spills of inoculum with absorbent materials and saturate with the appropriate disinfectant as defined in the approved IBC protocol. Allow sufficient contact time to achieve disinfection. Segregate waste appropriately and reapply disinfectant to the spill area.

4.5 Handling of Waste

  • 4.5.1 Dispose of sharps-related items directly in an approved sharps disposal container.
  • 4.5.2 Dispose of non-sharps items in a red biohazard bag.
  • 4.5.3 Treat any remaining inoculum using an inactivation method and disinfectant defined in the approved IBC protocol. Dispose of liquids only as permitted by the approved protocol and applicable institutional requirements.
  • 4.5.4 Coordinate handling of infectious carcasses with animal care staff in accordance with facility procedures and the approved protocol.

4.6 Transport of Biohazardous Materials

  • 4.6.1 Transport infectious agents and contaminated samples in a sealed secondary container with absorbent material and labeled with the biohazard symbol.

4.7 Tissue Harvest

  • 4.7.1 Arrange with animal care staff for transport to an appropriate location for euthanasia and tissue harvest, or perform these procedures in the animal room when permitted by the approved protocol.
  • 4.7.2 Use only one sharp instrument at a time when possible and keep it in full view.
  • 4.7.3 Place harvested tissue or fluids in appropriate primary containers, decontaminate the exterior using disinfectant defined in the approved IBC protocol, and transport as described in Section 4.6.
  • 4.7.4 Follow sharps handling practices outlined in Section 4.2.

5. Housing and Handling of Infected Animals

  • 5.1 When available, house animals in a holding area with an adjacent anteroom. Prepare inoculum and supplies, and don PPE in the anteroom.
  • 5.2 When possible, have someone assist during inoculation, euthanasia, or sample collection.

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • 6.1 Minimum PPE:
    • Disposable fluid-resistant coveralls
    • Disposable nitrile gloves (double-glove when handling infectious agents or during inoculation)
    • Boots or shoe covers
  • 6.2 Additional PPE when indicated by the approved IBC protocol:
    • Face mask and eye protection
    • Hairnet
    • Cut/bite-resistant gloves
    • Respiratory protection (requires enrollment in Cornell’s Respiratory Protection Program, including medical clearance and fit testing)
  • 6.3 Solid-toed shoes are required.
  • 6.4 Remove PPE upon exiting the room using appropriate doffing procedures.

7. Response to Accidental Exposures

  • 7.1 Personnel who sustain an exposure should:
    • Wash exposed area with soap and water or rinse in eyewash for at least 5 minutes
    • Perform first aid as appropriate
    • Notify supervisor
    • Seek medical evaluation as soon as possible following exposure. After hours, seek evaluation at the nearest emergency department.
    • Report the incident using the Cornell University Injury/Illness/Exposure Report system.

8. Emergency Phone Numbers

  • Police, Fire, and Medical Emergencies: 911 (campus phone) or 607-255-1111 (cell phone)
  • Cornell Animal Resources and Education (CARE): 607-253-4378 (off-hours 1-800-349-2456)
  • Non-emergency - Environment, Health and Safety (EHS): 607-255-8200 (off-hours 607-255-1111)

 

Updated February 12, 2026 to improve description of how to obtain signage.

More Information

References

  1. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th edition. 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health.