Necropsy Procedure for Suspected Cases of Zoonotic Disease

Principles
Minimize number of personnel present.

Protection
Ensure personal protective equipment is available and utilized correctly
• Wear Tyvek disposable coveralls or (at a minimum) a solid-front, water resistant, long-sleeved gown.

Wear three pairs of gloves
• Innermost pair—latex or other disposable gloves.
• Middle pair—substantial waterproof gloves (Playtex kitchen gloves) long enough for gown sleeves to be tucked inside.
• Outer pair—Metal or Kevlar [e.g. Whizard Hand Guard (steel/Kevlar) glove from Koch (800-456-5624) or a locally purchased filleting glove]. THIS OUTER PAIR OF GLOVES MUST BE WORN throughout the entire necropsy procedure.

Wear a face shield or goggles to protect mucous membranes.

Wear a disposable ‘half mask’ HEPA respirator (3M 8293) to avoid aerosol
exposure.

Procedures
Minimize the use of needles and sharp instruments during necropsy.

Do NOT use mechanical saws to obtain spinal cord samples.

Procedures that create an aerosol should be done in a way to minimize the dispersal of aerosol particles.