Zoonoses
Handlers should also be concerned with illnesses that can be transmitted between humans and animals. These are often called zoonotic diseases and can be very serious or even life-threatening. Included among the diseases which may occur from exposure to zoonotic agents in swine are: brucellosis, leptospirosis, erysipeloid, streptococcus suis, salmonellosis, swine influenza, scabies, ringworm, and taenia solium tapeworm.
A pork producer can get sick from a zoonotic illnesses by being bitten by the animal, handling an infected animal or disposing of infected tissues, or in some cases through airborne carriers.
· To reduce exposure to disease, use basic hygiene and sanitation practices, which include:
o Prompt treating or disposal of infected animals
o Adequate disposal of infected tissues
o Proper cleaning of contaminated sites
o Proper use of personal protective equipment
o Use eye protection and gloves when necessary
What do I need to do?
Sample Infection Control Plan for Pork Production Operations
*This document is adapted with permission from Materials Produced by the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) & Veterinary Infection Control Committee (VICC)
This model plan should be adapted to your pork production operation and you should consult with qualified health/safety professionals to meet additional local, state and federal regulations.
Please refer the corresponding sections in document titled “Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions” for complete information and guidance (available at www.nasphv.org).
Name of Production Operation: _________________________________________
Date of Plan Adoption: _________________________________________
Date of Next Review: __________________________________________
Worker Health/Safety Officer: _______________________________________
This plan will be followed as part of our production operation’s routine safety and health practices. The plan will be reviewed at least annually and as part of new employee training.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE ACTIONS AND EQUIPMENT
Hand Hygiene: Wash hands before and after working in the barn and with animals. Wash hands before you eat, drink or smoke; after using the toilet; after cleaning animal housing or animal care areas; and whenever hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based gels may be used if hands are not visibly soiled, but handwashing with soap and warm running water is preferred. Keep fingernails short. Keep handwashing supplies stocked at all times. Staff responsible _________________________________________________.
Correct handwashing procedure:
- Wet hands with warm, clean, running water
- Place soap in palms
- Rub hands together to make a lather
- Scrub hands vigorously for 20 seconds
- Dry hands with a clean, disposable paper towel
Use of Gloves and Sleeves: Wear gloves when caring for sick animals or when assisting a veterinarian with any type of procedure and when cleaning pens and contaminated environmental surfaces and equipment. Change gloves between examination of individual animals or animal groups. Gloves should be removed promptly and disposed of after use. Disposable gloves should not be washed and reused. Hands should be washed immediately after glove removal.
Note: Gloves are generally not necessary when examining or handling normal, healthy animals as long as normal handwashing occurs before eating, drinking or smoking; after using the toilet; after cleaning animal housing or animal care areas; and whenever hands are visibly soiled
Facial Protection: Wear facial protection whenever exposure to splashes or sprays is likely to occur. Use splash-proof goggles and an N-95 particulate respirator (mask) when cleaning with high-pressure sprayers. Refer to the respiratory protection section of this website for additional requirements needed when wearing a respirator.
Respiratory Protection: Wear a disposable N-95 respirator or other particulate respirator in any other circumstance where there is concern about airborne disease transmission from a sick or dead animal. Refer to the respiratory protection section of this website for additional requirements needed when wearing a respirator.
Protective Outerwear: Wear a protective outer garment such as coveralls when attending animals and when conducting cleaning chores. Shoes or boots should have thick soles and closed toes, and be water resistant and easily cleanable. Impermeable outwear should be worn whenever substantial splashes or large quantities of body fluids may be encountered. Keep clean outer garments available at all times. Staff responsible __________________________.
Bite and Other Animal-Related Injury Prevention: Take precautions to prevent bites and other injuries. Use physical restraints and other protective equipment as needed. Plan an escape route when handling large animals. Do not rely on untrained staff for animal restraint. Notify ___________________ if there concern for personal safety. When bites, scratches, or lacerations occur while working with animals, wash the site with soap and water immediately.
Report all bites and other injuries to ________________________ (Safety/Health Officer) who will also maintain the incident report log. Consult a physician whenever the skin is broken as a result of direct contact with an animal. An evaluation of the need for medical attention, tetanus immunization, antibiotics, and other prophylaxis will be made by a physician.
Needlestick Injury Prevention: Dispose of all sharps in designated puncture-proof sharps containers. Dispose of the used syringe with attached needle in the sharps container when injecting live vaccines or aspirating body fluids. For most other veterinary procedures, use the needle removal device on the sharps container and dispose of the syringe in the regular trash. Sharps containers should be located in convenient areas of the facility. Do not transfer sharps from one container to another.
Obstetrics: Wear gloves and/or shoulder-length sleeves.
Diagnostic Specimen Handling: Wear gloves. Discard gloves and wash hands before touching clean items (e.g., telephone).
Veterinary Medical Waste: Insert here your local and state ordinances regulating. Disposal of animal waste, pathology waste, animal carcasses, bedding, sharps and biologics should be included.
Other Environmental Controls: There are designated areas for eating, drinking, and similar activities. These activities should never be done in animal care areas or in the laboratory area.
EMPLOYEE HEALH
The following personnel are responsible for developing and maintaining the practice’s infection control policies, keeping records, and managing workplace exposure and injury incidents.
Staff Responsible: ______________________________________________________________________________
Employee Immunization Policies and Record Keeping:
Record Keeping: Current emergency contact information will be maintained for each employee. Records will be maintained on immunizations and exposure and injury incidents. Report and record changes in health status (e.g. pregnancy) that may affect work duties.
Tetanus Vaccination: Tetanus immunizations for all workers in the production facility should be up to date. Report and record puncture wounds and other possible exposures to tetanus. Consult a health care provider regarding the need for a tetanus booster.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination: Unless contraindicated, animal workers are encouraged to receive the current seasonal influenza vaccine. Check with CDC for updated recommendations at www.cdc.gov.
Staff Training and Education: Infection control training and education will be documented in the employee health record.
Documenting and Reporting Exposure Incidents: Report incidents that result in injury or potential exposure to an infectious agent to _______________________________. The following information will be collected for each exposure incident: date, time, location, person(s) injured or exposed, other persons present, description of the incident, the status of any animals involved (e.g., vaccination history, clinical condition, diagnostic information), and plans for follow-up. If consultation with a health care provider is necessary, be sure to inform them of the exposure to the animal(s).
Pregnant and Immunocompromised Personnel: Pregnant and immunocompromised employees are at increased risk from zoonotic diseases. Inform ___________________ if you are concerned about your work responsibilities, so that accommodations may be made. Consultation between a qualified veterinarian and a health care provider may be needed.
The following information is recommended to be attached to the Infection Control Plan:
· Your herd veterinarian
· State Department of Agriculture or Board of Animal Health contact information and regulations
· Local animal waste disposal and biohazard regulations
FAQs:
Q: What are the most important things I can do to reduce my risk of a zoonitic infection from working with pigs?
A: There are numerous steps to be taken. These include: proper personal protective equipment, careful hand washing, and other steps to avoid contact with infectious agents. Refer to the sample plan on infection control for more detailed information.
Q: Are there any groups at higher levels of risk than others?
A: Some zoonotic agents will make ANY person sick if exposure occurs. However, some groups do have an additional level of risk and must be protected from exposures. This includes women who are pregnant, persons who are immunocompromised, or others with specific health conditions. Employees working in situations where zoonotic disease agents are present should check with their doctor to see what additional special precautions are needed.
LINKS
Information from the National Agricultural Safety Database on zoonotic diseases: