Zoonoses and occupational health in the veterinary profession

e201812086

Authors

  • Antonio Sánchez Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Miranda Prats-van der Ham Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Juan Tatay-Dualde Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Ana García-Galán Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Christian de la Fe Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Juan C. Corrales Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.
  • Antonio Contreras Grupo de investigación Sanidad de Rumiantes. Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Campus de Excelencia Internacional ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’. Universidad de Murcia. Murcia. España.

Keywords:

Zoonoses, Veterinary profession, Occupational health, Occupational disease

Abstract

The veterinary profession implies a greater risk of infection by zoonotic pathogens than the overall population. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the impact of zoonoses on the occupational health of veterinarians reviewing the published surveys addressing this subject. Following these inquiries, between 4% and 64.3% of the surveyed professionals acknowledge to have suffered at least one zoonotic disease, and dermatophytosis is the most frequently described zoonosis. In addition, from a qualitative point of view, it is necessary to highlight the occurrence of different diseases of important clinical seriousness and the existence of infections by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Due to the absence of updated studies in Spain, the present work reflects on the need to recognize the health determinants associated to the veterinary profession within the characteristics of our labour market. The available data suggest that the occurrence of zoonoses as occupational diseases is underestimated in Spain. Therefore, performing surveys on occupational health, documenting and publishing cases and reviewing the risks and the impact of zoonotic diseases on the veterinary profession would contribute to the description and notification of such diseases on behalf of the healthcare administration and would also become an essential tool in occupational risk prevention.

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Published

2018-12-03

How to Cite

1.
Sánchez A, Prats-van der Ham M, Tatay-Dualde J, García-Galán A, de la Fe C, Corrales JC, et al. Zoonoses and occupational health in the veterinary profession: e201812086. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2018 Dec. 3 [cited 2025 Jun. 7];92:8 páginas. Available from: https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/1280

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