Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel: National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians: Veterinary Infection Control Committee 2015

Review of hazards to female reproductive health in veterinary practice

“…68–72 A subset of these hazards may pose a particular risk for maternal and fetal health, including some zoonotic bacterial and viral pathogens and certain infectious agents that pose an increased risk of illness to immunocompromised individuals (including pregnant women); the most common of these were tabulated with recommendations for prevention (Table 2). 23,26,68,70,72–84 The many zoonoses (eg, rabies virus, Salmonella spp, or herpesvirus B) that can adversely impact human health regardless of pregnancy status were not included in the summary.…”

“…Thus, when an emerging zoonotic disease is not yet well characterized, veterinary personnel are advised to strictly adhere to standard precautions. 72,76 …”

“…4,26,74,85 At present, best practices to mitigate these risks include environmental controls, written infection control policies that are consistently applied, staff training in the use of procedures and equipment to reduce risk, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (eg, gloves, protective outerwear, and facial protection), with emphasis on groups that may be particularly vulnerable, such as pregnant women. 72,82,86,87 …”

“…7,8,21,23,28,29,44,49,72,88–106 Prevention of physical workplace hazards in a veterinary setting is best accomplished through consistent application of safe workplace practices, such as routine use of personal dosimetry and lead apparel when performing radiography. 28,92–95,97 During much of the first 7 weeks after conception, when the embryo is most susceptible to the effects of radiation, a woman may not be aware that she is pregnant.…”

Epidemiological Review of Francisella Tularensis: A Case Study in the Complications of Dual Diagnoses

“…Veterinarian staff and laboratory personnel must clinically manage esoteric, unexplained, or questionable pet death examination as if the animal were contaminated and follow veterinary standard precautions as noted in the Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel39 and the Infection Control and Biosecurity Standard Operating Procedures by the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital40. This would involve methodical hand hygiene procedures that include handwashing with soap and water, the use of alcohol-based hand rubs, and the proper use of gloves; facial protection such as the use of a N95 respirator, surgical mask, or a face shield or goggles worn with a surgical mask during procedures that cause potential infectious sprays and splashes and the use of protective outerwear such as laboratory coats, aprons, coveralls, nonsterile gowns, and footwear39 , 40. It would be optimal if necropsies in private veterinary clinics would use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and face protection, use negative airflow rooms, downdraft necropsy tables, and apply respiratory precautions.…”