Zoonotic Diseases
There are a host of possible infectious agents that can be transferred from animals to humans. These are referred to as zoonotic diseases.
Infectious agents that can be transferred from animals to humans are referred to as zoonotic diseases.
The common routes of exposure to infectious agents are:
- Inhalation: Inhalation hazards may arise during work practices that can generate aerosols. These include the following: centrifugation, mixing (e.g., blending, vortexing, and sonication), pouring/decanting and spilling/splashing of culture fluids.
- Inoculation: Inoculation hazards include needlesticks and lacerations from sharp objects.
- Ingestion: Ingestion hazards include the following: splashes to the mouth, placing contaminated articles/fingers in mouth, consumption of food in the laboratory, and mouth pipetting.
- Contamination: Contamination of skin and mucous membranes can occur via splashes or contact with contaminated fomites (e.g., towels, bedclothes, cups, money).
Some of the zoonotic diseases that can be acquired from animals are discussed in the next few sections.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
7-3. Centrifugation, mixing, pouring/decanting and spilling/splashing of culture fluids may result in exposure to _____ hazards.
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