Do not use personal vehicles for transporting live animals. If you're allergic to a species, it can be quite debilitating. If you suffer from asthma, working with a species to which you are allergic can be a significant health risk. Various small wild mammal proteins have been identified as sources of antigens involved in both allergic reactions and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a lung condition with symptoms that mimic pneumonia.
Symptoms develop after repeated exposure to a specific antigen found in small wild mammals.
Signs of an allergic reaction after exposure to small wild mammals are rhinitis and asthma symptoms. Signs and symptoms of both allergic reactions and hypersensitivity pneumonitis usually occur several hours after exposure. The most effective way to control and prevent allergies is to minimize exposure to the allergens. Submit the completed forms for project approval well before the project is scheduled to begin. In most cases, the Institutional Biosafety Committee will require that the laboratory adopt the pertinent conditions set forth in this document, and may require that a standard operating procedure be developed to address the specific conditions of the project.