Ampath Laboratories DxINSIGHTS - Issue 10 - February 2025

Introduction

IMPORTANT BIOMONITORING CONCEPTS FOR COMMON OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL AGENTS

Occupational hazards have been present since ancient times, but the concept of occupational health was only coined much later during the 18th century, when the Italian physician, Bernardino Ramazzini, published the first book on this subject matter, called The Disease of Workmen.

A REVIEW OF POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Healthcare workers can be exposed to blood-borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as to droplet spread pathogens such as Bordetella pertussis and Neisseria meningitidis, amongst others. Primary prevention strategies, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safe handling of sharps is paramount to prevent exposures.

When an exposure does however occur, it is important that healthcare workers (HCW) know the steps to follow in terms of risk assessment and prevention strategies. This article will review the indications for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), appropriate agents to use as PEP and follow up of healthcare workers exposed to infectious diseases.

VETERINARY OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Veterinary professionals, including veterinarians, animal health technicians, veterinary technologists, meat inspectors, nurses, students, animal caretakers and office staff, are at risk of occupational exposure to infectious diseases due to their close interaction with animals, many of which can harbour zoonotic pathogens. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a zoonotic disease as any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. Zoonotic pathogens, include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi; with bacteria accounting for the majority of zoonotic diseases. These diseases can manifest as nonclinical illness, minor illness, or severe illness with significant morbidity or mortality.