Unit IB5: Biological Agents

Unit IB5 : Biological Agents
What are Diseases Risk

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Biological Caused by Assessment
Agents? Biological and Control
Agents Measures
for
Biological
Agents
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What are Biological Agents?
As defined by ILO:
“Any micro-organism, cell culture, or human
endoparasite, which may cause any infection, allergy,
toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human
health. These include viruses and bacteria which can
cause infection and disease, dangerous plants and
animals (for example parasites or insects),
biologically contaminated dusts, or wastes from
humans and animals.”
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What are Biological Agents?
In summary;
Biological Agents are micro-organisms, cells cultures
or human endoparasites which may cause infection,
allergy, toxicity or a similar health hazard.
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Classifications of Biological Agents
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
(COSHH), UK classifies Biological Agents to
whether the agent:
1. Is pathogenic to human
2. Is hazardous to employees
3. Is transmissible to the community
4. Has an effective treatment
Further Reading
UK HSE Biological Agents
http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/biologagents.pdf
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Classifications of Biological Agents
Hazard Group 1 Hazard Group 2 Hazard Group 3 Hazard Group 4

• Unlikely to • Can cause • Can cause • Can cause
cause human human severe human severe human
diseases diseases and disease, and disease,
maybe hazard hazard to hazard to
to employees, employees, employees
but unlikely to with effective and
spread to treatment community,
community, available with no
with effective effective
treatment treatment
available available
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Types of Biological Agents
Other
Fungi Bacteria Viruses Micro-
Organisms
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Types of Biological Agent
Fungi
• Moulds and yeasts
• Some produces toxins that are hazardous to human health, E.g. Farmer’s Lungs due to
inhalation of spores.
• Generally harmless in occupational context.
Bacteria
• Simple single-celled organisms
• Have a tail (flagella) that allows them to move through liquid and can grow in virtually
any environment.
• Some bacteria cause diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease, however can be treated
with penicillin.
Viruses
• Micro-organisms which may not be alive as they require to invade host cells, such as
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Smaller than bacteria or fungi.
• Some viral infections can be cured via medication or the human immune system,
however some viruses can cause serious illness.
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Human
Hepatitis, HIV
Sources of
Biological
Agents
Environment Animals
Contaminated Rabies,
water Leptospirosis
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Properties of Biological Agents
1. Rapid Mutation
 Biological Agents change the characteristics of
their genetic code, making it difficult for the body
to effectively recognise and attack them.
 E.g. HIV
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2. Incubation Period
 Presence of Biological Agent may not be
noticeable immediately via signs and symptoms
as there is usually a time delay, i.e. incubation
period.
 E.g. Flu (1-3 days), Creutzeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD)
(30-50 years)
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3. Infectious
 Disease is infectious and may be transmitted to
others.
 E.g. Tuberculosis is highly infectious and can
spread within the community.
 Some infection maybe asymptomatic (no signs of
infection) such as Hepatitis C.
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4. Rapid Multiplication
 Multiply very quickly when the environmental
conditions are right.
 E.g. E.Coli bacterium, one bacterium can multiply
over 200,000,000,000,000 in 24 hours.
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Due to these special characteristics/properties of
Biological Agents, a simple dose-response
relationship is unlikely as it may pose an even
higher risk than chemicals at small exposures.
• Rapid Mutation
• Incubation Period
• Infectious
• Rapid Multiplication
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Diseases caused by Biological Agents
• There are three general categories of exposure
to Biological Agents:
1. Deliberate intention to work with biological agent
such as in a laboratory where research work is
being carried out.
2. Incidental exposure such as health care, food
production, agriculture and sewage management.
3. Accidental such as respiratory infection from
another person/colleague from the community.
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1. Zoonoses 8. Leptospirosis
2. Cryptosporidiosis 9. Malaria
3. Farmer’s Lungs 10. Snake Bites
4. Psittacosis 11. Contaminated Water
5. Hepatitis 12. Escherichia Coli (E.Coli)
6. Human 13. MRSA and C.Difficile
Immunodeficiency 14. Emerging Health Issues
Virus
7. Legionellosis
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1. Zoonoses
Examples of
What? Source Prevention
Zoonotic Diseases
• Zoonotic • Workers • Rabies • Similar to E.Coli
diseases are exposed are • Orf and
those than can those working • Anthrax Leptospirosis
be transferred in:
from animals to • Farms
human • Vet Clinics
• Zoo
• Sewage
• Construction
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2. Cryptosporidiosis
What? Source Symptoms Prevention
• Parasite infection • Contaminated food • Flu-like symptoms • Minimising risk of
caused by protozoa or water • Abdominal pain infection by keeping
Cryptosporidium • Infected person / • Watery diarrhea carrier healthy.
Parvum animal • Avoid contact with
• Enters via the faecal- • Petting farms animals
oral route • Agricultural workers • PPE
• Infections can be • Good hygiene and
severe to infant and controls such as
those immuno- barriers between
compromised. farms and eating
• Can be fatal areas.
• Treatment to cuts
and graze where
infection could occur.
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Image Credits
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Cryptosporidiosis_01.png
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3. Farmer’s Lungs
• Inhalation of moulds • Straws and hays • Short Term • Avoid creation of dust
that penetrates the • When wet, they • Irritation of nose and when working
alveoli. become mouldy and eyes • Using farm machinery
• Excessive inhalation of produce green-grey • Acute bronchitis with that can contain dust
dusty moulds leads to moulds which can be cough and phlegm • Adequate ventilation
Farmer’s Lungs. inhaled. • Acute occupational • Good housekeeping
• Usually affects farm asthma with chest • Good personal hygiene
workers thus the name tightness • Use of PPE
Farmer’s Lungs. • Fever with shivering
• Long term
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic farmer’s
lungs
• Chronic occupational
asthma
• Damage to heart
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Image Credits
http://www.epainassist.com/images/farmers-lung.jpg
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4. Psittacosis
• Inhalation of aerosols • Infected birds via • Respiratory • Similar to Farmer’s
from infected birds. respiratory secretion, difficulties like Lungs
• Occupational disease dried fecal matter or asthma or allergic • Ensuring that birds
for bird handlers in feather dust. reaction such as are healthy and
zoos, vets or farms. dermatitis. checked for diseases
• Influenza-like • Barriers to prevent
symptoms and can contact of birds with
lead to severe humans
pneumonia or non- • Adequate ventilation
respiratory health • Good housekeeping
problems. • Good personal
• Difficult to diagnose. hygiene
• Use of PPE
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Image Credits
http://www.pethealthcare.co.za/sites/default/files/field/image/Zoonosis%20Psittacosis
%20Pet%20Health%20Care.png
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5. Hepatitis
• Inflammation of the • Hepatitis A is caused by • Diarhhea • Good hygiene practice
liver which can lead to ingesting food/water • Fatigue • Ban of smoking, eating
cirrhosis or liver cancer that is contaminated • Loss of appetite and drinking where risk
and can be fatal by HAV (Hep A Virus) • Fever of contamination is
• 5 main types; • Hepatitis B is a form of • Muscle aches and present
A,B,C,D,E. STD and can spread via joints • Prevention/ covering
• A and E are usually bodily fluid. • Nausea up of open wounds
caused by ingestion of • Hepatitis C is caused by • Use of PPE
• Abdominal Painp
contaminated food or direct contact of blood • Proper
water. from an infected • Vomiting
• Weight loss decontamination and
• B, C, D are usually person. waste disposal
caused by contact of • Hepatitis D can only • Dark urine
bodily fluids. occur for those with • Jaundice (yellow skin)
• B and C carry potential Hep B, can infection • Faeces containing pus
for outbreaks and can be due to bodily
epidemic spread. fluid contact.
• Hepatitis E is similar to
Hep A.
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← Image Credits
http://worddirection.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/0
7/Hepatitis-B_03.jpg
Image Credits Image Credits

http://www.askdrmakkar.com/images/routes_of_trans https://dscleb.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/hepatitis_
mission%20of%20hepatitis.jpg overview.gif
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6. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Virus responsible for • HIV is transmitted via • Flu-like symptoms • Since HIV is a blood
Acquired contamination of • Fever borne pathogen,
Immunodeficiency bodily fluids. • Non-itchy rash prevention is similar to
Disease Syndrome • Can occur through • Swollen glands / lymph those of hepatitis.
(AIDS). sexual acts or nodes • Good hygiene practice
• Progressive failure of accidental inoculation • Muscle aches • Ban of smoking, eating
immune system when coming into • Sore throat and drinking where risk
• Once the person is contact with infected of contamination is
person. • Mouth ulcers
sufficiently weakened, present
he will be susceptible • People who are • Prevention/ covering
to infections and susceptible to HIV are up of open wounds
diseases such as those working in the • Use of PPE
pneumonia and cancer. research labs or those • Proper
working in the decontamination and
hospitals dealing with waste disposal
HIV patients.
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http://www.africaontheblog.com/wp-content/uploads/20 http://www.avert.org/sites/default/files/styles/article_sc
11/06/300px-Symptoms_of_acute_HIV_infection1.png ale_style_780/public/field/image/How-do-I-get-HIV-final.
png?itok=TX1862R9
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7. Legionnellosis
• Legionnella Pneunophila • Legionnellosis is • Legionnaire’s Disease • Appointing of competent
is responsible for two contracted by inhaling • High fever person to control water
important occupational airborne droplets or • Chills system
disease: particles containing • Headache • Assessment of risks
• Legionnaires’ Disease viable Legionnella which • • Preparation of written
is small enough to bypass Muscle pain
• A form of pneumonia, • scheme for the control of
the lungs and deposit Dry cough
inflammation of the • Legionnella Risk.
lungs, caused by deep into the alveoli. Difficulty in breathing • Adoption of practical
infection of the bacteria. • Legionnella bacteria are • Vomiting controls such as:
• Pontiac Disease widespread in natural • Confusion • Management of water
• Is a milder, non-fatal flu- water or man-made • Pontiac Disease temperature to avoid
like condition caused by water system / reservoir. • Influenza / Flu growth of legionnaire
the bacteria, but unlike • Alcoholics, smokers and • Headache bacteria (<20°C or
the former, it is not a patients illnesses are • Lethargy >60°C)
form of pneumonia. more susceptible. • • Preventing stagnant
Coughing
waters
• Treating water with UV
or chlorine.
• Routine water sampling
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Image Credits
http://wiki.ggc.edu/images/2/2d/Sy.jpg
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8. Leptospirosis
• An infectious bacterial • Mammals such as rats, • Stage I • Good pest control

disease found in sheeps and dogs. • Flu like symptoms • Washing and cleaning
infected mammals • Susceptible workers • Stage II of cuts and graze
which can be are those working in: • Jaundice • Covering wounds
transmitted to humans • Sewage • Development of • Wearing PPE
(zoonose disease). • River and canals • Good hygiene habits
• Bacteria enters antibodies in blood and
• Watersport excretion of bacteria in especially after coming
through damaged skin • Construction urine. into contact with
and through the mucus • 5-10% of people die at animals.
membranes of the • Agriculture
mouth. • Farms this stage.
• Stage III
• Severe jaundice
• Patient may suffer
from prolonged
lethargy.
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http://www.health.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/120809-l http://thumbnails-visually.netdna-ssl.com/pagsama-le
eptospirosis-541x1024.jpg ptospirosis_51ed4e1d6d3c5_w450_h600.jpg
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9. Malaria
• Tropical disease • Night-biting infected • High fever • ABCD of malaria

transmitted by night- mosquito • Sweats and chills prevention
biting mosquito • African countries or • Feeling unwell • Awareness of risks that
• Infected mosquito countries close to the • Muscle pains may expose you to
injects host with a equator with tropical • Headaches malaria
parasitic organism, climate • Cough • Bite prevention by
plasmodia using repellants,
• Mostly affecting • Diarrhea
mosquito net
African countries • Malarial parasites can • Check if you need
lead to more serious malaria prevention
illnesses and even tablets
death. • Diagnosis if suspected
of malaria or after
returning from a
malaria affected
country.
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http://pharma.bayer.com/static/media/images/content/malaria1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/
jpg db/Symptoms_of_Malaria.png
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10. Snake Bites
• Snake kill their prey by • Biting from a snake • Snake venom can be • Awareness of possible
biting and injecting highly toxic and may snake presence within
venom into their result in severe injuries the vicinity of working
hollow fangs or even death, area.
depending on the type • Avoiding snake
of snake and the infected areas
location of the bite. • Wearing sufficient PPE
to protect against
snake bites
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Image Credits
http://www.wildbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Snakebite_symptoms.png
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11. Contaminated Water
• Untreated water can • Accidental infection • Depending on the type • Ensuring that water is
contain dangerous from working, of infection, those properly treated before
pathogens which may swimming or ingesting affected may drinking and avoiding
cause: contaminated water. experience stomach working in sewage or
• Protozoal infections • Workers who works problems prior to dirty water.
• Parasitic infections alongside rivers and developing symptoms
• Bacterial infections lakes have potential for based on their
• Viral infections infection, including infection.
rescue workers and
those operating in
outdoor activities.
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12. Escherichia Coli (E.Coli)
• E. Coli are bacteria that • Since E. Coli are • C an cause diarrhea, • Prevent or minimise
are found in the guts of bacteria found in guts vomiting and fever. contact with infected
humans and animals. of humans and • May have severe animals or touching
animals, the bacteria is consequences for the contaminated surfaces.
also present in faeces young, elderly or those • Good hygiene
and sewage. whose immune system practices.
• Infection usually is compromised. • Segregation for eating,
caused via faecal-oral • Possibly fatal drinking and smoking
route. area, in places where
contamination may
occur.
• Good food handling
practices.
• Use of PPE
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Image Credits
http://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/102504/96/1025049657.jpg
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13. MRSA and C.Diff
• Methicillin-resistant • MRSA are commonly • MRSA patients usually • Good hygiene

Staphylococcus Aureus found in nasal cavity of show typical symptoms practices.
(MRSA) infected person, of infection such as • Segregation for eating,
• Clostridium Difficile usually from hospitals. fever, lethargy and drinking and smoking
(C.Diff) • Can lead to tissue muscle aches. area, in places where
• Types of bacterial damage and organ • C.Diff patients usually contamination may
infections that are infection once the show symptoms such occur.
resistant to antibiotics. bacteria proliferates. as diarrhea, vomiting • Good food handling
• C.Diff is a gut and nausea. practices.
bacterium that can • Ensuring proper
cause more diseases disposal of medical
when antibiotics is tools such as needles.
used to treat the • Use of PPE
infection.
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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/ http://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/7.11561.137459
db/Symptoms_of_Malaria.png 4831!/image/MRSA.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_6
30/MRSA.jpg
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/289 http://uglifruit.active-ns.com/~cdiffs01/wp-content/u
/289817/effect-of-c-difficile-on-gut-lining-cells.jpg ploads/2014/07/cdiffimage2.jpeg
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14. Emerging Health Issues
• BA are known to mutate over time, therefore a new
strain of pathogen may emerge from time to time.
• These pathogens may cause an outbreak such as:
Outbreak E.Coli infection in UK open farms back in 2009.
H1N1 influenza in 2009
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003.
• Such cases may require occupational health authorities
to impose health and safety guideline which employers
must abide by to curb the spread of the pathogens.
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Unit IB5: Biological Agents

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Unit IB5 : Biological Agents

What are Diseases Risk

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Hazard Group 1 Hazard Group 2 Hazard Group 3 Hazard Group 4

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Types of Biological Agents

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• An infectious bacterial • Mammals such as rats, • Stage I • Good pest control

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• Tropical disease • Night-biting infected • High fever • ABCD of malaria

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What? Source Symptoms Prevention

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What? Source Symptoms Prevention

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What? Source Symptoms Prevention

• Methicillin-resistant • MRSA are commonly • MRSA patients usually • Good hygiene

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