The Top Infectious Disease Stories Of 2017

While many infectious diseases have already been contained in recent decades, they are still a major concern in the modern age.  Below are the main headlines related to infectious diseases this past year.

One is the outbreak of measles in Europe that started in late 2016 and persisted throughout 2017.  While measles is easily one of the most vaccine-preventable diseases today, many still get infected.  The most affected areas were Romania, Germany, and Italy, with some 14,000 reported cases.

Image source: time.com

Significant attention has been given to Lyme disease, the world’s most common vector-borne disease. This was manifested by the first-ever meeting of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group, and the granting of FDA Fast Track designation to Valneva’s Lyme disease vaccine. 

Another headline-maker is the issue surrounding Dengvaxia.  Many countries have approved this supposed milestone dengue vaccine since its first use in Mexico, with the Philippines rolling out the use of the vaccine for some 730,000 children.  But last November saw the announcement from Sanofi Pasteur that there is an increased risk of severe dengue and hospitalization a few years after vaccination.  This is true among people in all age groups who had not been exposed to the dengue virus prior to vaccination.

Image source: qiagen.com

On a positive note, polio and the Guinea worm diseases are now close to getting completely eradicated.   Just like smallpox, which was eliminated in the late ‘70s, polio cases have decreased by over 99 percent since 1988.  As for Guinea worm, the estimated 3.5 million cases of the disease in Africa and Asia have decreased by more than 99.99 percent.  The great news here is that the eradication is not based on vaccines per se, but mainly through community-based interventions to educate and change people’s behavior on water sanitation.

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., has more than 12 years of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. For related reads, click here.

Every Little Detail Could Be a Workplace Hazard

Apart from the obvious ones, workplace hazards are not always chemical agents or poisonous substances. Any object or circumstance could constitute a workplace hazard, as long as it poses a danger to workers in the vicinity.

Employers are required by law to ensure that the workplace is free from hazards. This is enshrined in the Occupational Safety Health Act’s General Duty Clause. Its most urgent injunction is the identification of serious hazards, such as those that can cause death or serious harm.

The following categories of hazards demand identification:

1.Safety hazards: These objects, conditions, or substances are likely to cause injury to workers. They could be anything that could cause slips, falls, and injury from the weight of an object. Common examples are spills; even pencils on the floor could be hazards. Heights, machinery with moving parts, and exposed electrical cords also fall under this category.

2.Biological hazards: Anything issuing from organic matter and living things can be considered a biological hazard. These hazards are common in workplaces such as farms, slaughterhouses, hospitals, or any other venue where animals and infectious materials could be present. Common examples are blood, fungi, mold, animal and human fecal matter, and other microorganisms.

3.Physical hazards: These hazards cause injury and disease and are usually associated with extreme conditions. Examples are radiation, extreme temperatures in the workplace, overexposure to the elements such as sunlight, and even outdoor pollution.

Image source: oshatrain.org

4.Ergonomic hazards: These are hazards specifically threatening to harm the musculoskeletal system of the workers. These are also associated with workplace conditions and operations. Examples are repetitive movements and poorly designed workstations.

Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., is an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. He obtained his degree in zoology from the University of California, Davis in 1990 and obtained his Ph.D. from the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health in 1997. Learn more about Captain Martin Sanders by visiting this page.

How to file a safety and health complaint

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employees and their representatives have the right to file a safety and health complaint and request an inspection of their workplace by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) if they see a serious hazard or OSHA violation. 

Image source: PersonnelToday.com 

The complaint, OSHA states, should be filed as soon as possible after noting the hazard or potential violation, as OSHA citations may only be issued for violations that currently exist or existed in the last six months. 

A worker or employee has several options for filing a complaint. They may download the OSHA complaint form or request a copy from the local OSHA regional or area office, and then fax or mail it back. Include details such as name, address, and phone number for follow-up, as written complaints like this are more likely to entail an onsite inspection from OSHA. 

One may directly discuss their complaint with OSHA via phone. Call the local, regional, or area office or 1-800-321-OSHA for emergencies or life-threatening hazards. Complaints may also be filed online or by accomplishing this online form. Complains from workers in OSHA-approved state plan states will be forwarded to the appropriate state plan for proper response and action. 

This information comes in handy for workers who not only seek to report hazards at their worksite but also those who have been punished or discriminated against by employers for exercising their employee rights or for refusing to when faced with imminent danger of death or serious injury.

Image source: OmicsGroup.org

Captain Martin Lloyd Sanders, Ph.D., is an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), and has rendered more than 12 years of service in the occupational safety and health. For similar reads, click here.