Health status

before, during, and

after transit
Kathleen Pritchett-Corning
DVM, DACLAM, MRCVS
Senior Clinical Veterinarian
Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Health status health
Health = basic bodily integrity and proper
functioning

Health status = the presence/absence of
various microbiologic agents monitored in
the animals of interest
For some laboratory animals
Changing health status in transit is much
less of a risk either because they dont
have a tightly controlled health status or they
are vaccinated or both

Or the risks are taken by the humans
transporting them
(Marburg, measles, TB, rabies)
Always look to the law
National laws on import are there to protect
agriculture and human health.

Often exemptions from some testing for lab
animals, but be sure that your
paperwork/statements meet the
legal/regulatory requirements outlined in
those exemptions.
Vast majority of animals
transported for research today
Health status is vital
Contamination with unwanted microbial
agents can render the animals unusable for
research, have significant ($$$$$) and long-
lasting effects on receiving institutions, or
potentially affect the health of the animals.

Most agents of concern are
SPECIES-SPECIFIC
Trust, but verify
Health status of the animal is generally the
responsibility of the consignor, not the
carrier.

If your carrier has control of the shipment
from door-to-door, risk is reduced.

Alas, not always possible.


Whats the risk? (HACCP)

Not to human health*
Not to health of other species*

The biggest risk is that the animals will
change health status during transport and
infect animals at the receiving facility.
*some GMO excluded?
HACCP in research rodent shipping
Packing
Transport to shipping vehicle
Cart, car, truck
Shipping
Car, plane, truck (boat? train?)
Transport to ultimate destination
Truck, car, cart
Unpacking
Research rodents?
Very small percentage of rodents shipped
Majority shipped are pet
rats/mice/gerbils/hamsters/guinea pigs
Feeder rats/mice

Health status of pet/feeder producers?

Different than research!
Packing
Pack appropriately
New containers
Health status of animals inside
Protecting that status

Consider stops along the way
What are the risks to health status?
Mixing shipments?

Transport to primary carrier
Climate-controlled

Preserves integrity of the shipping crates

Avoids cross-contamination
Between crates
Between shipments
Carrier movement of animals
Lower risk: carrier-controlled door-to-door
Major lab rodent vendors
Climate-controlled vehicles
Control of whats on those trucks

Higher risk: 2ndary to primary to 2ndary
There are stops along the way
Whats next to your animals?
Photo: By Mike Clarke, AFP/Getty Images
Crowcroft, 1966
Transport to ultimate destination
Climate-controlled

Preserves integrity of the shipping crates

Avoids cross-contamination
Between crates
Between shipments
Unpacking
THE CRUCIAL STEP

Crate integrity
Crate disinfection
Crate entry

Quarantine (or not?)
A story from times past
Chronic, recurring mouse parvovirus
outbreaks in SPF immunology facility.




Associated with certain vendors, but
vendors not infected (and not lying).

?????
Seasonalityoutbreaks occurred in late fall.

Shipment modefew animals arrived by
dedicated truck. Most arrived by plane, then
courier.

Facility handling of cratescould be better.


Best guess
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
Cl
O
O
To sum up
There is a risk of health status change
during transport for lab rodents.

You cannot control for all the risks inherent
in transport.

Take precautions on arrival to protect your
facility.