The Medical Monitoring Program for Vertebrate Animal Users is designed to help protect researchers, staff and students from the risk of possible infection by animal-associated organisms or other agents associated with animal research. It is also designed to help prevent development of laboratory animal related allergies or to help slow progression of existing allergies. The extent of medical coverage under the program is based upon risk assessment by an occupational medicine specialist. The program is administered by the Biological Safety division of FSU's Environmental Health and Safety department.

Who Needs To Enroll?

All faculty, staff, students and researchers performing research that involves contact with vertebrate animals or unprocessed vertebrate animal products.

Classroom projects, FSU Film School projects or university sponsored programs with vertebrate animal contact will undergo a review for the extent and type of contact associated with their project or program by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) during the ACUC protocol review process. Based on the information submitted, EH&S will determine whether individuals participating in these programs and projects will be required to enroll.

Visiting faculty, staff, students and researchers that have vertebrate animal contact should also enroll in the MMPVAE, in addition to providing proof of previous medical monitoring or enrollment in a similar program from their host institution. Medical monitoring procedures will be determined based on the provided information.
Directed Individual Study Students (DIS) and student volunteers should also enroll in the MMPVAE. Medical procedures for DIS and volunteers are covered under their University Student Health Plan. Students should contact Thagard Student Health Center to schedule an appointment to evaluate potential medical implications associated with their exposure to research animals.

It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to ensure that all personnel who have animal contact be enrolled in the FSU Medical Monitoring Program before they begin working with animals. This requirement must be addressed. Failure to enroll in the FSU Vertebrate Animal Users Medical Monitoring Program may result in delay of approval for new or tri-annual protocol submissions as well as significant changes to existing protocols. If the Committee determines that an individual working in an animal research area is not enrolled in the Medical Monitoring Program, the protocol or individuals may be suspended from animal work until such time as enrollment has been completed.

Enrolling in the program is easy! Simply fill out the medical monitoring program form (available on line at FSU EH&S or ACUC Forms) and submit it according to the instructions on the form. Or give it to the ACUC Secretary who will submit it for you.

For further information and assistance, contact the Biological Safety Office, Environmental Health and Safety at 644-5374.

Links to Further Information on Laboratory Animal Allergens

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal

Laboratory Animal Allergens Issue

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal

Occupational Health and Safety in Biomedical Research

Laboratory Animal Allergy: An Update

NIOSH Alert 1998

Preventing Asthma in Animal Handlers

Recommended Strategies to Managing Allergies to Laboratory Animals

(Jackson Laboratories)

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