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NIOSH Publication No. 2005-155:Recommendations for Protecting Outdoor Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure |
September 2005 |
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This document contains answers to questions relevant to outdoor workers regarding West Nile Virus, as well as recommendations for the prevention of exposure to West Nile Virus by outdoor workers. Contents
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Disclaimer Ordering Information |
WNV is spread to humans from the bite of an infected
mosquito. Photograph courtesy of Jim Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
This document is also available in PDF format. 2005-155.pdf |
Recommendations for Protecting Outdoor Workers from West Nile Virus ExposureThis document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. DisclaimerMention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites. Ordering InformationTo receive documents or other information about occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at NIOSH—Publications
Dissemination Telephone: 1–800–35–NIOSH
(1–800–356–4674) or visit the NIOSH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-155 September 2005 IntroductionThe West Nile virus (WNV) is most often spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus may also be transmitted in other ways—through organ transplants, blood transfusions, and breast milk, and from mother to fetus. But the risk of such transmission is very low. WNV was first reported in the United States in 1999, and occupational exposures have been documented. By 2004, the virus was reported throughout the continental United States. Most human infections with WNV (about 80%) cause no symptoms, and about 20% cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Fewer than 1% of humans infected with WNV become severely ill. Severe symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Severely affected persons may develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord). Severe cases may be fatal. People of all ages and conditions may be affected. However, those who are above age 50 or who have had an organ transplant are at increased risk of severe illness. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhich workers may be exposed to WNV? Outdoor workers may be exposed to WNV whenever mosquitoes are biting. Outdoor workers at risk include farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers and gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and other outdoor workers. Entomologists and other field workers are also at risk while conducting surveillance and other research outdoors. All outdoor workers should follow the recommendations in this brochure to reduce their potential for WNV exposure. In addition to outdoor workers, laboratory workers are at risk of WNV infection if their skin is penetrated or cut while performing necropsies or handling WNV-infected tissues or fluids.
Who is at risk of WNV infection? Anyone who lives or works in an area where there are WNV-infected mosquitoes is at risk of WNV infection. People of all ages are at risk of the flu-like symptoms of this infection. Although people usually recover, the symptoms may be severe enough to result in lost workdays for extended periods. People above age 50 and those who have had organ transplants are known to have the highest risk of severe illness from WNV infection. Others with compromised immune systems are also likely to be at high risk. However, people of all ages and conditions can become severely ill. Therefore, ALL workers should be careful to follow the recommendations listed in this brochure to reduce their potential for exposure to WNV. Have any outdoor workers been infected with WNV on the job? Workers were infected with WNV at a turkey breeder farm in 2002 and an alligator farm in 2004. Although it is uncertain how these workers were infected, it may have been through mosquito bites, contact of cut or scraped skin with infected feces, swallowing or being splashed in the eyes or mouth with contaminated material, or inhaling airborne virus from infected feces. It is likely that more outdoor workers have been infected with WNV when bitten by infected mosquitoes, but information about workers’ occupations may not be collected when cases are reported. Many cases have occurred in rural areas where people work in farming and other outdoor occupations.
When are outdoor workers at greatest risk of WNV exposure? Outdoor workers are at risk of WNV exposure any time infected mosquitoes are biting. Most WNV infections occur from July through September. Many mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. However, some are active during the day. If possible, avoid working outdoors during peak activity times for mosquitoes. When you must work at such times, pay special attention to the use of personal protection such as protective clothing and insect repellent to reduce the potential for exposure. Where are mosquitoes most commonly found? Mosquitoes develop in any standing body of water that persists for more than 4 days. Stagnant pools, ponds, watering troughs, irrigation ditches, rain barrels, manure lagoons, and other stagnant bodies of water increase mosquito populations. Weedy, bushy, and wooded work environments may also have mosquito populations. Emptying containers of stagnant water every 4 to 5 days or treating these breeding sites with larvicides can help to reduce mosquito populations.
How does WNV affect a woman’s pregnancy? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has followed a number of women who became ill with WNV during pregnancy. Most of these women delivered apparently healthy babies with no evidence of WNV infection. Although some of the babies born to WNV-infected mothers did have health problems, it is unknown whether the WNV infection caused these problems. Because of the limited number of cases studied so far, it is not yet possible to determine what percentage of WNV infections during pregnancy result in infection of the fetus or medical problems in newborns. More research is needed to understand the possible effects of WNV on pregnancy. When pregnant workers are outside, they should follow the recommendations at the end of this brochure to reduce their risk for WNV infection. These recommendations include avoiding mosquitoes; wearing protective clothing; using repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on the skin; and spraying clothes with one of these repellents or permethrin. Always follow label instructions for repellents. Pregnant women who become ill should see their health care providers. What should I do if I must handle dead animals? Avoid handling dead animals when possible. If you must handle them, avoid direct contact and wear gloves that provide a protective barrier. See additional recommendations at the end of this brochure.
What should I do if I develop symptoms of WNV infection? Tell your supervisor about any symptoms that might be caused by WNV infection. If you develop severe symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness, or paralysis, seek medical attention immediately. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you work outdoors. The period between receiving the infected bite and having symptoms is 3 to 14 days. Testing for WNV infection is available. No vaccine is currently available to prevent WNV infection in humans.
Recommendations for Employers of Outdoor WorkersEmployers should protect their workers from WNV exposure by taking the following steps:
Recommendations for WorkersOutdoor workers can reduce their risk of WNV exposure by taking the following steps:
Additional ResourcesFor more comprehensive information about WNV, contact
the Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for
Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at AcknowledgmentsThis brochure was written by Kathleen MacMahon, DVM,
Education and Information Division; and Amanda G. Harney, MPH, Office
of Compensation Analysis and Support. Scientists from the Division
of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases,
provided critical input. Susan Afanuh, Anne Hamilton, and Jane Weber
provided editorial services. Vanessa Becks provided desktop design and
production. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||