Rabies titres are monitored and persons re-vaccinated as required. Rabies is a reportable disease, so that in the event of exposure or incident where the disease is suspected, a report must be filed immediately with the local Health of Animals Officer and University of Guelph Occupational Health Services. Details of procedures following suspicion of rabies in an animal are available from Occupational Health Services and the Infection Control Manual of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Rabies is always a fatal disease in people if appropriate preventive steps are not taken immediately exposure is suspected. As part of our Animal Handlers Protocol, serum is stored and maintained for 1 year to help in the diagnosis of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
Primate colonies pose special zoonotic risks.
Non-human primate diseases are often transmissible to humans and can be a serious health hazard. As well, human infections can occasionally be transmitted to primates. Consult with Occupational Health Services about the risks of working with primates and ways to reduce them. Those working with cats should be conscious of possible allergic reactions. Ringworm, a fungus disease of the skin, is also a common infection in cats and is readily transmissible to people.