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IntroductionThe presence of biological agents in occupational environments is an important health and social problem. Micro- and macroorganisms and the structures and substances they produce may exert a harmful influence upon exposed individuals leading…
IntroductionBiological agents have a ubiquitous presence in the environment and are found in many sectors. As they are rarely visible, the risks they pose are not always appreciated, but exposure may lead to include acute and chronic, sometimes life-…
Background and scope of guidelinesThese non-binding guidelines aim to help employers and workers to stay safe and healthy in a working environment that has changed significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They give advice on:Risk assessment and…
Background and scope of guidanceOn 11th March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. The European Commission is working together with the WHO and Member State public health authorities to contain…
IntroductionEbola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) (sometimes called Ebola Virus Disease, or EVD) is the disease caused by infection with an Ebola virus. It is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) brought on by any of several strains of viruses in the…
IntroductionDuring an outbreak of human infectious disease, the numbers affected will vary depending on the disease, location, susceptible population size, environment etc. When disease numbers exceed a set threshold for that illness it is considered to…
IntroductionLegionella is a family of pathogenic waterborne bacteria that include some that cause a group of infections called legionellosis of which Legionnaires’ disease is the most severe. This article provides an overview of Legionella and explains…
Background and Scope of GuidanceOn 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Vaccination is proving to be effective against the pandemic, however it is increasingly being recognised that…
IntroductionZoonoses are infections that are spread from animals to humans. This article gives a general overview of the occurrence and transmission of zoonotic diseases, with particular emphasis on zoonotic diseases in the workplace and why they present…
IntroductionAnyone using biological agents has to be aware of their hazard potential. The GESTIS Biological Agents Database contains a wealth of information ranging from the classification in risk groups through to occupational safety and health measures…