Biosecurity Levels

Animals of the same species with compatible health status are co-housed in the same room whenever possible.  Campus Animal Resources (CAR) provides different types of housing to accommodate differing biosecurity levels (pathogen status).

In addition, special housing is provided when required: 

• Biohazard Containment:  Animals exposed to a hazard at biosafety level 2 require housing in specialized facilities and additional practices to contain the spread of the pathogen. 
• Hazardous:  Animals exposed to a chemical hazard require isolation from other animals and additional practices to protect against cross-contamination.
• Quarantine: Animals with unknown or unconfirmed health status are temporarily housed in an isolated area while additional health testing is completed.   

• Procedure Space

  To increase biosecurity control in facilities, is the intent of CAR to provide additional procedure space for research staff in animal facilities.  Procedure labs are being designed to meet biosecurity needs and address requirements for animals' environment such as:

  • Air Quality
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Ventilation and Directional Airflow
  • Lighting levels
  • Security
  • Sound Attenuation
• Animal Removal from Facility

  Where possible, animal procedure labs are being added in animal facilities to enhance biosecurity. When removing animals and transporting to research laboratories is deemed necessary, PI's should consider:

  • Personnel (public) exposure to:
    • animal allergens
    • infectious or zoonotic agents
    • other contaminants
  • Animal exposure to environmental variables that may:
    • impact physiological processes
    • make animals more susceptible to disease agents
    • introduce agents into animal colonies when animals are returned
    • potentially jeopardize animal health and welfare
    • potentially jeopardize interpretation of animal study data
  • All CAR and animal transport guidelines must be followed