Incidents & Accidents Reporting an Animal Injury

Select one of the links below for more information:

Reporting an Animal Injury

First, conduct first aid. The injury should then be reported immediately to your local Division of Occupational Medical Services (DOMS) clinic.

Bethesda: Building 10, Room 6C306, (301) 496-4411
Baltimore: Room 01B210, (443) 740-2309
IRF-Frederick: Room 1B116, (301) 631-7233
RML-Hamilton: Room 5205, (406) 375-9755
North Central Ave, (602)-839-4456
* Note NIH satellite facilities: For Old World NHP (e.g., Rhesus Macaque) exposure, first contact Bethesda main campus DOMS 301-496-4411, then proceed to the nearest DOMS clinic for further evaluation unless instructed otherwise by the main campus DOMS provider.

If you are involved in the direct care of animals or their living quarters or have direct contact with animals (live or dead), their viable tissues, body fluids or waste, you are required to participate in the Animal Exposure Program (AEP). Trainees, Fellows, or Special Volunteers who conduct animal activities are eligible for enrollment in the AEP and other associated OMS programs to the extent necessary to support their involvement in the Animal Care and Use program. Contract employees are eligible only for emergency medical care (i.e. evaluation and treatment of occupational injuries.) To enroll in AEP, contact DOMS at (301) 496-4411.

back to the top

Work-Related Medical Emergencies-Human or Nonhuman Primate Exposure

An injury that involves an exposure to human or nonhuman primate body fluid should be treated as a medical emergency. First aid should be initiated immediately on-site.

Contaminated skin should be scrubbed with soap and water for 15 minutes.
Contaminated eyes or mucous membranes should be irrigated with water or normal saline for 15 minutes.