Animal Exposure Surveillance Program
Participation in the Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) is a requirement of all personnel who work in animal facilities and who have substantial animal contact. This shall include, at a minimum, principal investigators and their staff who use animals in their research, veterinarians, and animal care staff members. This surveillance program is designed for personnel who have direct contact with a variety of animals, their viable tissues, body fluids, wastes, or living quarters. This program was developed to protect personnel from hazards that may be present in the animals (e.g., zoonotic diseases) and to protect the animals from infectious diseases that may be present in personnel.
It is the responsibility of the Scientific Director to assure enrollment of NICHD personnel in the AESP. The RAMB has been tasked by Dr. Rennert with identifying all personnel who should participate in this program and with monitoring their enrollment. Individuals electing not to participate in the AESP will be denied permission to participate in animal studies.
Contact Occupational Medical Services (telephone: 496-9278; office: Building 13/Room G904) to enroll yourself in the AESP. You will be asked to describe the nature of your animal exposure (i.e., rodents and rabbits, aquatics, ungulates, carnivores, nonhuman primates, etc.). The specific surveillance needs of an individual will be based on the type of animal contact.
