BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

VIRUSES FUNGI

BACTERIA PARASITES
Selected Infectious Diseases
and Occupations

Agent / Disease Occupation

Colds, influenza, scarlet fever, May be contacted anywhere
diphtheria, smallpox
Tuberculosis Silica workers, people exposed
to heat and organic dusts, and
medical personnel
Anthrax Animal handlers and handlers
of carcasses, skins, or hair of
infected animals, including wool
carpet processors and handlers.
Selected Infectious Diseases
and Occupations

Agent / Disease Occupation

Ringworm (in horses, cattle, Pet shop salesmen, stockmen,

deer, pigs, cats, dogs, birds) breeders of cats and dogs, and
other animal handlers

Tetanus Farmers (spores in soil) or

anyone in contact with manure.
Selected Infectious Diseases
and Occupations

Agent / Disease Occupation

Rabies (e.g. dogs, bats, rats, Veterinarians, letter carriers,
pigs, cats) laboratory research workers,
agricultural workers.

Fungus Farmers, outdoor workers,

animal handlers
Biological Hazards
 Disease
 Transmissible
 Caused by PATHOGENS
 = viruses, bacteria,
protozoans, + parasites
(few)
 Influenza (flu), common
cold, measles, hepatitis B,
...
Biological Hazards
 Disease
 Bacterial infections
 acne, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, plague,
…
 Parasitic disease
 Giardiasis (hikers diarrhea),
 Ascariasis
 Hookworm, pinworm
 Malaria (protozoan transmitted by mosquitoes—
next slide)
Biological Hazards
 Disease
 Malaria
 Protozoan parasite
transmitted by
mosquito
Biological Hazards
 How transmissible (infectious) diseases
spread
 Presence of infectious agent
 Person-to-person contact
 Crowding in cities = more contacts
 Unsanitary conditions
 Presence of vector
 Malaria, yellow fever, Lyme disease, filariasis, river
blindness, …
Biological Hazards
 Control of Biological Hazards
 Vaccination
 Quarantine
 Medical care
 Life style choices
 Control of vectors
 Mosquitoes, etc.