Occupational hazards in animal farming and related industries, with special reference to biological ones

Occupational hazards in animal farming and related industries are discussed, with special reference to biological ones. The occupational hazards are treated according to the following points: (1) occupational pathology (by physical, chemical and biological agents; casualties and accidents; diseases of social and psychological origin); (2) biological hazards from the environment; (3) zoonoses (historical references; their socio-economic significance; emerging and re-emerging zoonoses; the working activities mainly involved; the zoonoses of major importance, with special reference to the Mediterranean region; the evaluation of damages and risks; their trasmission of zoonoses from farm workers to animals). Remarks on present situation of occupational biological hazards and related risks in industrialized farming activities and in traditional ones, and on the possible importance of some emerging and re-emerging zoonoses for the health of workers are pointed out. The author concludes by stressing that the prevention of occupational diseases in animal farming and related industries must be implemented jointly by different professional figures and services, mainly veterinary and medical services, through prevention and epidemiological surveillance of human and animal health, risk evaluation, diagnosis of infections and their prompt report.