Depending on your source and reference, the recommendations seem to vary
slightly. Enclosed are the comments from Cathy Johnson Delany D-V.M. at
the Regional Primate Research Center at 'the University of Washington.
This compares with the recommendations of the American Association of Zoo
Veterinarians. These are enclosed for, your review.
I agree with Jeff Wimsatt, D.V.M. generally. Obviously he has a lot of
research and background support. vaccination of owner and research
personnel is the most consistent finding. The problem is that there is
no
real research that is specific enough. Therefore everything is on
supposition. We also know that it takes a lot less measles virus or
other
infectious exposure than far humans to create clinical symptoms and
problems in primates.
Disclaimer: The following represent reasonable recommendations but they
are
not totally foolproof,... They are only guidelines and as such, and do
not
mean that what is stated here is correct in all situation-- without
consideration of the context. Contact your Veterinary professional.
The vaccine protocal I have used successfully and with no secondary
problems (: reactions to date are as follows-
A. Rabies Imrab R by Pittman-Moore which has been recently bought out by
Rhone Murieux/Merck or Defensor killed Rabies vaccine by Pfizer. It is
important to stress that it must be a killed virus vaccine given
intramuscularly and that there have been no reported cases of primate
rabies in the United States. Public Health Officials in most states and
at
CDC, seem to give a partial support to quarantine versus euthanasia if
the
efforts are made to immunize annually. If a primary care physician really
presses the issue then a biting primate may be sacrificed anyway, but at
least it's a start to get Public Officials support. One could use the
human Diploid Rabies Vaccine, IMOVAX by Connaught which is much more
expensive but does not to carry any more protection that the two above in
the zoo circles I have been in. (Most zoos do not even vaccinate for
r-abies it is such a low concern due to confinement.)
S. M-M-R 11 (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) Vaccine by Merck & Company. If
the
primate is less than 1.2 months of age then a second dose is recommended
after 12 months of age. O.5ml is given subcutaneously. Human literature
recommends not giving concomitantly with the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis) vaccine but Merck goes on to say if done simultaneously to use
Separate injection sites- I do not use or recommend the combination DTP
only the tetanus and have had no side effects or concerns. It is also
recommended (by the AAZVP) to booster at 10-12 years of age.
AMSH/page
C- Tetanus -Tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed ultrafined by Wyet Laboratories. This
is recommended to any part of the country in which Clostridium tetani is
present. The basic immunizing course consists of two (primary) doses of
0.5ml each, given at an interval of 4 to 8 weeks, followed by a third
(reinforcing) close of 0.5ml 6 to 12 months later - the injections are
given intramuscularly and repeated every 10 years after the initial
pediatric series or possible exposure. Some individuals or groups
booster-
their primates yearly as a precaution with no side effects and appear to
receive heavy protection -from Cl. tetani.
D,. Polio Trivalent oral Poliovirus or IPOL (Poliovirus Vaccine
Inactivated
manufactured by Pasteur Merieux Labs and distributed by Connaught Labs,
in
the USA.) A primary series is initiated after 6 months of age in my
practice with the first dose followed in 4-8 weeks with its booster and
final followup in 6 to 12 months of the second immunization. This
vaccine
is primarily given to the Great Apes but can be given if there is any
potential for public exposure. I have found that Public Health Officials
prefer to have this in the vaccine protocol of Privately owned primates.
E.- TB Tuberculosis testing is also an important part of the public
health
protocol. Coopers antigen given to bleb the skin (intradermal) of the
eyelid or abdomen area. I prefer the eyelid because it is more easily
monitored and must be reviewed at 24, 48 and 72 hour intervals by your
veterinarian.
F. Viral Panel Testing There are two laboratories in San Antonio, Texas
which can do a quick turn around screening to insure the safety of your
other primate members before combining them with a new purchase. If you
are a first time owner this helps the Public Health Officials to give you
better support in the event of a bite to a human and quarantine
procedures.
The stress again is to preimmunize the human contacts and for owners to
be
responsible when taking your primates into the public. Many states will
very on their approach to the public health side because of the limited
research information available. I recommend that your veterinarian get
with these officials very early and establish a positive rapport prior to
a
crisis arising. It seems most problems occur at the least convenient
times
or on weekends. So my experience in Texas with Lion Country Safari and
in
private practice in Oklahoma it is far better to work from the top down
with a policy in place than to work up the bureaucratic ladder as few
city
or state employees do not want to take authority or are unsure as to what
public health concerns are really at risk.