Introduction

There are many infectious diseases that can potentially impact the health and productivity of the workforce. The types of infectious diseases that can be expected to affect a specific employee population will depend on the season and climate, the geographical location, the current prevalence of epidemic and pandemic outbreaks, the underlying immunity status of the surrounding community, as well as local vaccination rates (for those infectious diseases that are vaccine preventable).

Occupational and Environmental Physicians are frequently asked questions by Safety Professionals about infectious diseases that have occurred in the workplace. Should an employee with an infectious disease be sent home? When should he or she be allowed to return-to-work? Are co-workers at risk for developing the illness? Does the workplace need to be disinfected or cleaned? Do co-workers need any medical monitoring, testing, or follow-up? Do they need vaccination or treatment with prophylactic antibiotics? Should public health officials be notified? Is the infectious disease work related?

Although it would be impossible to discuss every infectious disease that could potentially affect individuals in the workplace, a limited number of infectious diseases (with regard to worksites in North America) do seem to result in the bulk of frequently asked questions for occupational medicine physicians. These infectious diseases include:

  • Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA)

  • Tuberculosis (TB)

  • Meningitis (bacterial, fungal, viral)

  • Varicella (chickenpox or shingles)

  • Hepatitis B

  • Lyme Disease

  • Influenza (seasonal and pandemic)

  • Measles (Rubeola)

  • Whooping cough (Pertussis)

  • Rabies

Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is caused by a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. It often causes infections in the skin but can affect other parts of the body. Approximately 1–2% of individuals are chronic carriers of MRSA (on the skin or in the nose). MRSA can be transmitted from one person to another by direct contact with an infected wound or by sharing equipment or personal items such as razors or towels.

Keywords:
bacteria, infection, centers for disease control and prevention, vaccination, meningitis, symptom, infectious disease, cdc, pertussis, antibiotic
Subjects:
Health, Infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis)
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2015. American Society of Safety Engineers
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