Procedures utilized for primate import quarantine at the international center for Gibbon Studies

The intent of the Foreign Quarantine requirements (42 CFR 71.53) for nonhum an primates (NHPs) is to prevent the importation of potentially serious inf ectious diseases that are not endemic to the United States. In 1990, prompt ed by an outbreak of Ebola (Reston) hemorrhagic fever at an (NHP) quarantin e facility, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated unannounced inspections of all NHP importers' quarantine facilities. During the inspections, the majority did not meet the required infection control and containment standards. Numerous discrepancies were identified in infect ion control and NHP quarantine protocols. Zoos should have knowledge of CDC requirements and recommendations for the importation of NHPs into the Unit ed States. Zoos planning to import NHPs should register with the CDC and ha ve their NHP quarantine facility and protocols inspected and approved by CD C's Division of Quarantine. Specific areas addressed must include protocols for in-transit shipping and handling, transport to the quarantine facility , biocontainment procedures (transfer of NHPs from shipping containers to q uarantine cages, entering/exiting the quarantine room, routine daily and em ergency procedures, protective clothing, infection control, infectious wast e disposal), occupational health, and employee training. Here, we provide i nformation on the approved protocols used for import quarantine at a single registered importer facility specializing in importation of gibbons (Hylob atidae) for species conservation purposes. These procedures are site specif ic and are not intended to be applicable to the needs of all NHP import fac ilities.