Tackling the Covid-19 pandemic in animal facilities: ACTREC perspectives

The Novel Coronavirus outbreak gave learning lesson to the entire world especially about how to fight with the invisible enemy. The scientific community is engaged in exploring the pathogenesis of this Novel disease and inventing the antivirals. At the same time, laboratory animal facility key personnel are busy in carrying out facility operations without compromising the laboratory animal welfare and on-going animal research. In general, every laboratory animal facility establishes the disaster management plan considering the possibility of fire, earthquake, cyclones or flood. Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) Animal Facility also has well documented disaster plan in place. However, incorporation of preparedness plan against disaster due to pandemic was never thought of. However, with our extensive experience, great team efforts and timely decisions, we could continue facility operations without compromising animal welfare, on-going animal research and health of animal care personnel. It is the need of hour to make a preparedness plan in advance to respond to any kind of such pandemics in the future. We wish to share our experience gained during SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. This data is concerned about us but may be helpful to other animal facilities in India and/or across the globe.