OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PERSONS WORKING WITH SALTWATER FISH

All personnel working with animals, their tissues, or working in areas where animals are housed must complete an Animal Use Medical Screening Form every 3 years. This is a program to identify and provide follow up for individuals who may be at greater risk for contracting zoonoses. This form can be downloaded at: http://depts.washington.edu/compmed/iacuc/iacucforms/index.html

Persons working with FISH:

· Potential zoonotic disease obtained from fish: 1) Erysipiloidiosis: source of infection: Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Transmission route: contact with infected fish through skin abrasions and wounds. Incubation and symptoms: A few hours to 7 days: erythematous, edematous skin lesion with violet coloration around wound. 2) Mycobacterium marinum Transmission route: open wound contact with salt water, inoculation with M. marinum. Estimated annual incidence is 0.27 cases per 100,000 adult patients. Incubation and symptoms: 2-3 weeks, a localized granuloma or sporotrichotic lymphangitis.

· Tetanus booster every 10 years.

· Wear protective gloves, ie, latex, nitrile, while handling fish. Latex dishwashing gloves may afford greater protection. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water upon glove removal. Use antiseptic hand sanitizer (eg, Purcel) between glove use, if needed, until you can get to handwashing facilities. Wash hands thoroughly upon glove removal.

· Injuries:

· Immediately wash area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

· Control any bleeding and cover with protective dressing (bandage, etc.).

· For any injuries, needlestick/sharps injury or for signs/symptoms of wound infection such as redness, swelling or pain contact the Employee Health Clinic at Hall Health at 685-1026. After hours or if the clinic is unavailable, go to the UWMC ER.

· Report injuries on the UW reporting form #1428, Incident/Accident/Quality Improvement Report. You can obtain this form from your supervisor.

· Illness: If you develop signs or symptoms that you think may be related to your work with fish and/or research work, contact the Employee Health Clinic at 685-1026. If you see your own provider, inform him/her that you work with fish and any other pertinent information regarding your research work. If you do see a health care provider for an unexplained illness, tell them you work with fish (specify type). If you do see a health care provider for an unexplained illness, tell them you work with fish (specify type).

· Allergies:

· Fish proteins are a source of problems for people sensitized through inhalation. If you suspect you may be experiencing allergy symptoms, such as, runny nose and sneezing (allergic rhinitis), irritation and tearing of eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), asthma or skin rash (atopic dermatitis), contact the Employee Health Clinic at Hall Health, 685-1026. Precautions and methods of control to prevent exposure to animal allergenic substances can be found in the NIOSH ALERT, "Preventing Asthma in Animal Handlers". This document can be downloaded at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/animalrt.html to be reviewed with personnel.