Revision of guidelines for health monitoring of rodents and rabbits

The actual version of the Recommendations for the health monitoring of rodent and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units was completed in June 2001. The preamble states that these recommendations will be under periodical review and amendments will be published as necessary. In the meantime, sciences evolved, new methodologies were investigated and new organisms are considered to be relevant for health screening. New assessments were made if certain organisms have to be regarded as pathogenic or not. The current recommendations have the assumption that a person with sufficient understanding of the principles of health monitoring be in charge to maintain a health monitoring policy for the facility. Unfortunately current developments show that in more and more institutions persons without these qualifications become responsible for managing animal units.