Global infectious disease risks associated with occupational exposure among non-healthcare workers: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

ObjectivesEmployees in non-healthcare occupations may be in several ways exposed to infectious agents. Improved knowledge about the risks is needed to identify opportunities to prevent work-related infectious diseases. The objective of the current study was to provide an updated overview of the published evidence on the exposure to pathogens among non-healthcare workers. Because of the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, we also aimed to gain more evidence about exposure to several respiratory tract pathogens.MethodsEligible studies were identified in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane between 2009 and 8 December 2020. The protocol was registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019107265). An additional quality assessment was applied according to the Equator network guidelines.ResultsThe systematic literature search yielded 4620 papers of which 270 met the selection and quality criteria. Infectious disease risks were described in 37 occupational groups; 18 of them were not mentioned before. Armed forces (n=36 pathogens), livestock farm labourers (n=31), livestock/dairy producers (n=26), abattoir workers (n=22); animal carers and forestry workers (both n=16) seemed to have the highest risk. In total, 111 pathogen exposures were found. Many of these occupational groups (81.1%) were exposed to respiratory tract pathogens.ConclusionMany of these respiratory tract pathogens were readily transmitted where employees congregate (workplace risk factors), while worker risk factors seemed to be of increasing importance. By analysing existing knowledge of these risk factors, identifying new risks and susceptible risk groups, this review aimed to raise awareness of the issue and provide reliable information to establish more effective preventive measures.

Occupation and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalisation and ICU admission among foreign-born and Swedish-born employees: a register-based study

“…Occupational interactions is a well-known determinant of infectious disease transmission, [8][9][10] which explains why during the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries encouraged remote working as one of the strategies for containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, not all types of work can be performed remotely.…”

Impact of occupational exposure on job satisfaction and overall happiness among Chinese physicians and nurses: A cross‐sectional study

“…Occupational exposure can be defined as the presence of certain substances or risk factors in the external work environment of workers, including physical factors, chemical substances, biological agents, physical stress and psychosocial stressors (Acke et al, 2022). Occupational exposure has aroused widespread concern in various professions and has become one of the most serious public health issues worldwide (Belloc‐Santaliestra et al, 2015; Descatha & Roquelaure, 2018; Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…Occupational exposure can be defined as the presence of certain substances or risk factors in the external work environment of workers, including physical factors, chemical substances, biological agents, physical stress and psychosocial stressors (Acke et al, 2022).…”

Homo medicus: The transition to meat eating, increased pathogen pressure, and the constitutive and inducible use of pharmacological plants in Homo

“…There was also serologic evidence that veterinarians were infected with pathogens not widely recognized as zoonotic, including bovine polyomavirus, bovine norovirus, borna disease virus, and equine rhinitis viruses (Baker & Gray, 2009). There is also infectious disease risk (albeit not all zoonoses) in a number of non-healthcare related occupations that interact with animals, including livestock farm laborers, livestock/dairy producers, slaughterhouse workers, and animal carers and forestry workers (Acke et al, 2021;Vonesch et al, 2019).…”