Occupational disease the presentation.pptx

occupational diseases

1. Occupational infections Shalom Nwachukwu

2. Definition Occupational infections are those human diseases caused by work-associated exposure to microbial agents, and that can be divided into two groups: living (micro)organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and prions) and substances or structures that originate from living or dead organisms (such as exotoxins, endotoxins, glucans, mycotoxins and allergens). What distinguishes an infection as occupational is some aspect of the work that involves contact with a biologically active organism.

3. How are infections transmitted? when people work or live in groups (daycare centers, barracks) Touching infectious people—or surfaces, objects, clothing, and linens that carry body fluids. (healthcare and laboratory workers) Travelling ( business travel, military campaigns) Being bitten by animals and insects, or by coming into contact with animals’ body fluids. (farms, zoos, laboratories) Due to the formation of spores (farming, constructions) Breathing infected aerosols (factories, treatment plants)

4. TYPES of occupational infections Anthroponosis : Infections due to exposure to infected human or their tissues Zoonoses – infections transmitted from animals to humans Travel associated infectious diseases

5. Bloodborne and Other Common Infectious Diseases Bloodborne Diseases: HIV/AIDS. Hepatitis B and C. Other common infectious disease Bacterial: “Staph” skin infection. Pneumonia. Tuberculosis. Parasitic— Giardia Viral: Influenza, or the flu. Respiratory infections. Diarrhea. Chickenpox, measles, mumps.

6. Anthroponosis Viral hepatitis: The main routes of exposure are percutaneous through needle stick injuries, and across mucous membranes or damaged skin, through contact with contaminated body fluids a wide range of occupations are at increased risk of exposure to HBV and HCV eg health care workers, embalmers, persons who handle body substances, clinical laboratory staff, workers in long-term correctional facilities, police, members of the armed forces and emergency services workers, and business travellers Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is an infection caused by Mycobacterium bacilli (usually Mycobacterium tuberculae). It can affect many organs, but respiratory tuberculosis is the most common form of the disease. Health care workers are the occupational group at highest risk of developing tuberculosis from a work-related exposure. Clinical laboratory workers, funeral parlour staff, farmers and veterinarians are probably also at increased risk

7. Zoonosis Zoonosis usually affects occupations involving: contact with infected animals, their infected secretions or tissues or contact with arthropod vectors from infected animals can result in occupational zoonotic disease

8. Bacterial zoonoses Anthrax ( Bacillus anthracis ) may cause a cutaneous or pulmonary infection. It is a disease of animal handlers, imported leather Brucellosis ( Brucella abortus, B.suis, B. recurrens , B.canis) endangers slaughterhouse employees, livestock producers, veterinarians, hunters) Tularemia ( Francisella tularensis) – hunters, forestly workers, farmers, veterinarians Leptospirosis ( L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L.grippothypohosa, L. canicola, L.pomona ) field agricultural workers, abattoir workers, farmers, sewer and canal workers, veterinarians, miners, fishermen

9. Toxoplasmosis ( Toxoplasma gondi ) – laboratory workers, veterinarians, cat handlers Toxocariasis ( Toxocara canis ) veterinarians Fungal zoonoses Coccidiomycosis ( Coccidioides immitis ) – farm workers, archeologists, excavation workers, construction workers Protozoan zoonoses Include Tick- borne encephalitis (flavivirus) – forest workers Rabies (lyssa virus) – laboratory workers, veterinarians, trappers, hunters, persons who handle wild or unidentified animals) Hantavirus - farmers, geodesists Viral zoonoses

10. Travel – associated infectious diseases All travelers should have routine immunisations updated Educational programs for health and safety should include information on common sense prevention, specific immunisations or chemoprophylaxis , source of medical care, and medical clearance based on particular hazards that may be present in the destination country as well as availability of appropriate health care. Example of such infection: legionelosis

11. Travellers who visit developed settings (e.g., hotels, even in developing countries) are exposed to aerosolized, warm water are at risk for infection. Despite the presence of Legionella bacteria in many aquatic environments, the risk of developing legionellosis for most individuals is low. Elderly and immunocompromised travellers are at higher risk. Exposures can occur during activities such as recreation in or near a whirlpool spa, while showering in a hotel, or touring in cities with buildings that have cooling towers. The largest outbreak (449 cases) ever reported was traced to a cooling tower on the roof of a city hospital in Murcia, Spain, in 2001. Legionellosis

12. Respecting the hierarchy of prevention measures: designing work processes so as to avoid or minimise exposure, developing technical measures at the design stage of work premises and work procedures, appropriate signage, plans to deal with accidental exposure, and measures for safe waste collection and handling and transport of biological agents, all measures that are included in the biological agents directive. Vaccination and how to address low vaccination rates According to the biological agents directive, workers should be informed of the benefits and drawbacks of both vaccination and non-vaccination, and vaccination must be offered free of charge to workers Improving the prevention at the workplace

13. Handle sharps with extreme care. Point sharps away from your body. Discard sharps immediately after use into an approved sharps container. Never put sharps in a regular recycling bin or trash can. Never reach blindly into a trash bag, behind furniture, or into other areas where sharps might be. Never recap a needle or touch the point. Tips Safely handling sharps Illustration by ®Mary Ann Zapalac

14. Tips for Staying Healthy and Safe Around Infectious Diseases Use all Standard Precautions! Don’t go to work if you are sick. Avoid sharing drinking cups, bottles, eating utensils, and other food items. Bandage cuts, sores, or breaks on your own skin and on clients’ skin Use a fresh bleach solution to carefully clean surfaces that may be infected. Avoid setting objects such as purses and bags on potentially infected surfaces. Take in only necessary equipment and supplies. Photo by ®Thinkstock Photo by ®Thinkstock

15. Case study

16. Tuberculosis Margaret had been working as a health care worker at a residential care home for the elderly for three years. Her daily job was to provide personal care service for the residents, such as assisting them in eating and bathing, tidying beds and cleaning wounds. About three months ago, Margaret began to cough persistently. Later on, she had blood-stained sputum, weight loss and frequent night sweating. She sought treatment at a chest clinic. The X-rays showed opacities in her lungs. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in her sputum. The doctor diagnosed that she had pulmonary tuberculosis.

17. Case analysis Margaret contracted pulmonary tuberculosis for the following reasons: Three months before the onset of the disease, Margaret was taking care of a resident, Mr CHAN, who had been coughing for weeks. He was arranged to see a doctor after a few weeks when he had blood-stained sputum. Mr CHAN was diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis and admitted to a hospital for treatment. While Mr CHAN was staying at the elderly home, his droplets containing the bacteria might disperse in the air whenever he coughed and sneezed. As Margaret had not worn a suitable mask when taking care of him, she might have inhaled the infective droplets. Inadequate ventilation at the elderly home resulted in accumulation of the bacteria in the air. Margaret did not have adequate rest and exercise, which made her more susceptible to diseases.

18. Preventive Measures The following measures can help to prevent contracting pulmonary tuberculosis at a residential care home for the elderly: Keep the workplace clean and well-ventilated. Staff should put on surgical masks properly while at work. Frequent hand hygiene to keep hands clean and to reduce transmission of bacteria. If residents or staff are suspected to have contracted pulmonary tuberculosis with symptoms such as persistent cough, blood-stained sputum, weight loss, afternoon fever and night sweating, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Leading a healthy lifestyle to attain good health such as: - good personal hygiene; - well-balanced diet; - regular physical activity; - adequate rest; - cheerful mood; - quit smoking and - avoid alcohol, etc.

19. Parenterally Contracted Viral Hepatitis Case Summary Lily had been working as a nurse in a private clinic for more than three years. She was responsible for dressing wounds, giving injections to clients and assisting the doctor during consultations. About two months ago, she developed fatigue, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, etc. Later, her skin and the sclera (the white of her eyes) gradually turned yellow. She was admitted to the hospital for treatment. After a series of examinations, she was diagnosed to have acute Hepatitis B.

20. Case Analysis Lily contracted acute Hepatitis B for the following reasons: Two months before the onset of the disease, she gave an injection to a Hepatitis B carrier. She punctured her left thumb accidentally when recapping the needle after the injection. She had not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B. She only covered her wound with dressing. She neither reported the accident to her supervisor nor sought proper medical treatment immediately

21. Preventive Measures To avoid contracting Hepatitis B as Lily’s case, the following measures can be adopted: Undergo a pre-employment medical examination if there are possible exposures to blood or other body fluids at work. Vaccination against Hepatitis B can be considered if the examination result is negative for Hepatitis B antibodies. Formulate infection control guidelines to ensure that employees understand the proper procedure in handling instruments contaminated with blood or other body fluids. Provide appropriate information and training including relevant infection control guidelines. In the case of accidental injury by contaminated instruments, clean and cover the wounds properly. Inform the employer or supervisor and seek medical treatment immediately

22. Conclusion the prevention of occupational infection is mainly based on the following principles: Keep the workplace clean and hygienic, and eliminate or control the sources of infection to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Ensure adequate ventilation in the workplaces. Formulate, provide and monitor safety management system and guidelines. Provide appropriate information and training to employees. Employees with symptoms of infectious diseases should seek medical treatment as soon as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Adopt preventive measures and use personal protective equipment (PPE) that are appropriate for the work nature. PPE should be properly maintained and promptly replaced if they have defects. If there is a wound, clean and dress it properly to avoid infection. Vaccinations can prevent certain infectious diseases (e.g. Hepatitis B). Employees who are not immune to these infectious diseases can consider receiving the appropriate vaccinations. Employers and employees can take appropriate preventive measures in accordance with the above principles to minimize the risk of contracting infections.

23. The end, thank you for your attention :)