Biological Hazards

Anthrax (Wool Sorters disease)

Caused by Bacillus Anthraces & spread through spores which may be found in the infected animals & animal products like wool, hair, meat, skin, bones etc. Soil can become contaminated by the spores which may survive fir many years in the soil. The disease also known as Woo Sorters Disease. Occupations involved:-1) Veterinarians 2) Farmers 3) Slaughter men 4) Agricultural Workers 5) Workers of Carpet Factory, Tanneries, Fertilizer Plant Types of Anthrax 1) Cutaneous 2) Pulmonary 3) Intestinal 1) Cutaneous Anthrax:- It accounts for 95% of cases. Occurring when infectious agent enters through a cut or abrasion. After incubation period of 2-7 days a small Papule develops. This further becomes Vasicular & over 24-48 hours enlarges to form an ulcer, with a characteristically black necrosis at the centre, which is usually surrounded by considerable edema & accompanied by fever & local lymphadinipathy. 2) Pulmonary Anthrax:- It is caused by inhalation of the organisms. Non specific symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection are followed by a rapid deterioration in respiratory functions, severe breathlessness & shock. If untreated the condition of Pulmonary Anthrax is rapidly fetal. 3) Intestinal:- Acquired after eating infected meat Diagnosis:- By Culture of swabs from lesion, blood & Sputum Treatment:- 1) Parentral Penicillin 2) Tetracycline 3) Cyclo Floxacin

Brucellosis
Types:1) Brucella Abortus :- Cattle population 2) Brucella Melitensis:- Sheeps & Goats 3) Brucella Suis:- Pigs 4) Brucella Moris:- Seals or other Marine Mammals Infection may be acquired through contact of the organism with conjunctiva or abraded skin, by aerosol inhalation or by ingestion. Occupations associated:1) Veterinary Surgeon 2) Unpasteurized Milk or Milk Products 3) laboratory Workers Incubation Period:- Ranging from 1 week to 7 months. Clinical Features:- Clinical features are veriable including Fever, Rigors, Generalized Body Ache, Anorexia. Infection may lead to chronicity often associated with intense fatigue. The symptoms of chronic Brucellosis may last for years with non specific symptoms like 1) Malaise 2) Tiredness with little or no fever 3) Depression Physical Signs:- 1) Spleenomegale 2) Hepatomegale 3) Lymphadenopathy 4) Transient Skin Rash 5) Ottitis 6) Meningitis 7) Cranial Nerve Palsy 8) Endocarditis 9) Hepatic & Spleenic Absess Diagnosis:- By serology & Culture of Blood, Bone Marrow, Pus or Infected Tissues. Treatment:1) Tetracycline or Doxycyclin 2) Streptomycin or Refampicin 3) Cotrimexazol may also be used