Biological Hazards

Question 1

Candidiasis

can-da-die-isis

Answer 1

A fungal infection that manifests as a skin or mucous membrane infection, but can also enter the bloodstream and spread. Occupations at greatest risk include dishwashers, bartenders, cooks, bakers, poultry, and packinghouse workers.

Question 2

Brucellosis
(Bruce – a – low – sis)

Answer 2

Bacteria primarily passed among animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, and dogs. Humans become infected by coming in contact with these animals or animal products that are contaminated with these bacteria. Meatpacking employees and inspectors, livestock producers, veterinary workers, and laboratory employees are at risk for contracting this bacteria.

Question 3

Aspergillosis
(aw – spur – ja – low – sis)

Answer 3

A common mold found in soil, on plants, and in decaying plant matter, but it is also found in household dust, building materials, and even in spices and some food items. This mold causes allergic reactions, and body organ infections, particularly in persons with lung disease, or those with weakened immune systems. (Farmers and grain workers are the primary occupations of concern.)

Question 4

Scabies

Answer 4

A disease caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The scabies mite borrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays eggs. This disease is a potential occupational hazard in institutions such as, nursing homes, extended care and childcare facilities or prisons.

Question 5

Scabies

Answer 5

A disease caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The scabies mite borrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays eggs. This disease is a potential occupational hazard in institutions such as, nursing homes, extended care and childcare facilities or prisons.

Question 6

OPIM

Answer 6

Other Potentially Infectious Materials

Question 7

Leptospirosis
(Lep – toe – spy – row- sis)

Answer 7

A bacterial disease that affects humans and animals and is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil, and is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals. Cases of this bacterial disease increase after hurricanes or floods, when people may have to wade through contaminated water or use it for drinking or bathing.

Question 8

Legionnaire’s Disease

Answer 8

Caused by the Legionella bacteria. In nature, Legionella live in fresh water and rarely cause illness. In man-made settings, Legionella can grow if water is not properly maintained. Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease are often associated with large or complex water systems.

Question 9

Tuberculosis

Answer 9

A bacterium spread through the air from one person to another generated when a person with TB disease coughs, speaks, sings, and sneezes and is a common risk for hospital employees, workers who work in facilities or institutions such as homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and nursing homes.

Question 10

Candidiasis

can - duh - die - uh - sis

Answer 10

A fungal infection that manifests as a skin or mucous membrane infection, but can also enter the bloodstream and spread. Occupations at greatest risk include dishwashers, bartenders, cooks, bakers, poultry, and packinghouse workers.

Question 11

Toxoplasmosis

Tox - sa - plaz - mow - sis

Answer 11

An infection with the toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world’s most common parasites. This disease is considered to be the leading cause of death attributed to food-borne illnesses in the United States and can occur from eating or handling undercooked or contaminated meat.

Question 12

Hantaviruses

Answer 12

Viruses transmitted to humans from the dried droppings, urine, or saliva of mice and rats. Animal laboratory workers and persons working in infested buildings are at increased risk, particularly during dusty clean-up activities.

Question 13

Exposure Control Plan

Answer 13

Viruses transmitted to humans from the dried droppings, urine, or saliva of mice and rats. Animal laboratory workers and persons working in infested buildings are at increased risk, particularly during dusty clean-up activities.

Question 14

Tularemia

tool-a-reem-e-uh

Answer 14

Also known as “rabbit fever” or “deer fly fever”, humans become infected through a variety of environmental exposures, including tick and deer fly bites, skin contact with infected animals, drinking contaminated water, inhaling contaminated aerosols or agricultural and landscaping dust, or through lab exposure.

Question 15

Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacteria

Answer 15

Causes Lyme Disease

Question 16

Rabbit Fever

Answer 16

Tularemia (Tool – a – rem – e – a)
Also known as “deer fly fever”, humans become infected through a variety of environmental exposures, including tick and deer fly bites, skin contact with infected animals, drinking contaminated water, inhaling contaminated aerosols or agricultural and landscaping dust, or through lab exposure.

Question 17

Q Fever

Answer 17

A disease which is natural in some animals, such as goats, sheep, and cattle. People can get infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated with feces, urine or milk, or after helping animals give birth. Veterinarians, dairy farmers, ranchers, stockyard workers and people in meat processing industries can develop this disease.

Question 18

Hepatitis A

Answer 18

An acute liver disease that will not cause chronic infection. It’s usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Occupations at risk include daycare workers, hospital workers who have direct patient contact, like nurses and nurses’ aides, laundry workers, sewage workers, and food handlers, particularly in the hospital setting.

Question 19

Biological Agents

Answer 19

Infectious agents, or their products, that cause human disease and have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions and death.

Question 20

Leptospirosis
(Lep – toe – spy – row- sis)

Answer 20

A bacterial disease that affects humans and animals and is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil, and is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals. Cases of this bacterial disease increase after hurricanes or floods, when people may have to wade through contaminated water or use it for drinking or bathing.

Question 21

Lyme Disease

Answer 21

A tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi, carried by deer ticks.

Question 22

Malaria

Answer 22

A mosquito born disease that manifests in humans with fevers, chills and flu-like illness. While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria can be common in tropical and subtropical countries.

Question 23

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Answer 23

A Bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. People who work outdoors, like military personnel, foresters, rangers, ranchers, farmers, trappers, construction workers, and lumber workers, are at the greatest risk for contracting this disease.