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  • Methods for Trapping and Sampling Small Mammals
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Education and Prevention Materials

Methods for Trapping and Sampling Small Mammals for Virologic Testing

About the manual

This manual is intended as a guide for those persons performing ecologic and epidemiologic studies involving populations of rodents which are potentially infected with hantavirus. However, the procedures outlined are appropriate for any study of small-mammal populations that may harbor an infectious zoonotic agent capable of causing severe disease or death.

The manual covers the following major topics in detail: selection of appropriate collection sites; trapping methods that provide a representative sample of the rodent population; handling, operation, and placement of traps for small mammals; safe and humane techniques for trapping and handling rodents; selection of appropriate sample fluids and tissues and detailed methods for obtaining these samples; proper storage, packaging and shipment of specimens to the laboratory; effective decontamination and cleaning of traps and other materials; safe disposal of infectious wastes; and careful collection and recording of all pertinent data.

The manual is illustrated with black and white photos to assist the trainee in understanding these techniques. Sample forms are provided in appendices and can be adapted to specific programs by users.

It is our hope that the information contained in this manual will provide assistance to investigators involved in the collection and handling of small mammals and will facilitate surveillance efforts necessary to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Important notes
Warning: The manual's text includes graphic photos of rodent necropsy procedures. These images may not be appropriate for viewing by children.

The protocols described herein have been approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Investigators conducting research involving live animals should have their research protocols approved by their institutional animal care and use committee and should conduct all such research in accordance with federal guidelines (NIH 1985), the federal Animal Welfare Act (P.L. 89-544, as amended by P.L. 91-579 and P.L. 94-279) and Endangered Species Act (P.L. 93-205), and other applicable state and local laws, regulations, or policies.

Update on specimen packing and shipping instructions

The manual contains information on packing and shipping specimens. However, updated information is available from two online sources:

• International Air Transport Association (I.A.T.A.). See the "Products and Services" section.
• Office of Health and Safety, Biosafety Branch (OHS) at CDC.

View or print the manual

The Manual is only available in the Adobe Acrobat reader format (.pdf):

Methods for Trapping and Sampling Small Mammals for Virologic Testing [PDF - 2.19 MB]

View Manual in Spanish

A Spanish version of the manual is available on the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) website.