Communicable diseases in occupational settings.
2008
Phoon WaiOn
In the past few years, there has been a renewed emphasis on the importance of communicable diseases in the occupational setting. The dramatic but evanescent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is described in some detail. The recent upsurge in human cases of avian influenza, which to date has afflicted mainly poultry-handlers and their families in Asia, is also described. Recent trends in well-known communicable diseases, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria, brucellosis and viral hepatitis, are also mentioned, with particular emphasis on the social and epidemiological aspects relating to occupational activities. Emphasis is laid on the effects of transmigration of labour and globalization, and the effects of air travel on the rapidity of transmission of these diseases. The review concludes with the need for continuing vigilance to identify and control new communicable diseases, such as SARS, and to watch for new patterns of distribution or manifestations of already well-known infections.
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