Occupational infections
The most common occupational infections of concern in the health sector are tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS and respiratory infections (coronaviruses, influenza).
Occupational infections
Preventive measures
Adhere to strict infection prevention and control measures
Observe standard precautions for infection control - hand washing, respiratory hygiene, safe collection and disposal of health-care waste, environmental hygiene and use of personal protective equipment
Use safety-engineered devices and follow good practices for safe injections
Provide immunization at no cost to health workers. WHO recommendations on health workers’ vaccinations include Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), hepatitis B, polio, pertussis, diphtheria, measles, rubella, meningococcal, influenza, varicella, COVID-19 and cholera
Provide health services for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, counselling and rehabilitation for HIV and TB
Provide systematic latent TB infection testing and treatment for health workers in countries with a low TB incidence
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 2: screening: systematic screening for tuberculosis disease
WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 1: prevention: tuberculosis preventive treatment
Latent tuberculosis infection: updated and consolidated guidelines for programmatic management
Ensure adequate ventilation in all indoor health-care settings
Consider the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) for disinfection and prevention of airborne pathogens
COVID-19: Occupational health and safety for health workers: interim guidance, 2 February 2021
Infection prevention and control measures for acute respiratory infections in healthcare settings: an update
Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases in health care: WHO interim guidelines
Use clinical triage for early identification of patients with respiratory infections to prevent transmission
COVID-19: Occupational health and safety for health workers: interim guidance, 2 February 2021
Infection prevention and control measures for acute respiratory infections in healthcare settings: an update
Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases in health care: WHO interim guidelines
Ensure adequate supply, proper use and maintenance of well fitted personal protective equipment
References
(1) Estimation of the global burden of disease attributable to contaminated sharps injuries among health-care workers
Prüss-Ustün A, Rapiti E, Hutin Y.. Am J Ind Med. 2005;48:482-90.
(2) Global prevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mahamat G, Kenmoe S, Akazong EW, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Mbaga DS, Bowo-Ngandji A et al. World J Hepatol. 2021;13:1190-202.
(3) Tuberculosis among health-care workers in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
Joshi R, Reingold AL, Menzies D, Pai M. PLoS Med. 2006;3:e494.