In April 2010, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was reported in Japan. Veterinary and non-veterinary staffs were dispatched from throughout Japan to the epidemic area and engaged in containment measures. During the implementation of these measures, various injuries were reported among the dispatched staff. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of these injuries and to identify the characteristics of the injured persons dispatched to the epidemic area. The injuries that occurred among the staff dispatched from national organizations and prefectures other than the Miyazaki prefecture were analyzed. A total of 2,397 staff were dispatched, of whom 230 were injured. The injury risk was 9.6% (230/2,397). The most frequently reported injury was chemical burn resulted from exposure to inflammatory disinfectants such as calcium hydroxide, followed by abrasions caused by friction from protective clothing and rubber boots. In addition, needle-stick accidents were also frequently reported. Applying a less invasive disinfectants and improving selection and use of protective equipment seems effective for preventing these injuries.
Understanding the characteristics of these accidents and of the injured persons would ensure staff security and success in rapid disease eradication.
(Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division)
References:
- Muroga et al (2015) Occup. Med. (Lond). 65(1):45-48
- Viral Disease and Epidemiology Research Division (2013) Animal Hygiene Weekly. 339-342
