Occupational injuries and zoonoses in professionals working in zoos and breeding farms, Lima-Peru

Abstract

This research has been made in order to identify occupational accidents and zoonoses associated with wild animals. With that purpose it has been carried out 125 surveys among veterinarians and keepers who work in zoos and zoo farms in Lima – Peru and has been established that 60,8% of veterinarians and zookeepers have had some occupational accident by using instruments or equipment being scalpels/knives/razor blades the most common reason for those injuries, whereas 85,6% have been attacked by animals. The most frequent injuries were bites/pecks made by the order primates and carnivore. Hands and arms were the most wounded areas of the body. Chemical substances used during the work caused some kind of discomfort in 31,2% of people. Likewise, 72,8% suffered back injuries caused by bad posture. Also 14,4% of those polled caught zoonotic diseases and 2,4% developed allergies related to their work. In order to prevent those, 81,6% has been vaccinated and 86,4% used protection clothes. This research also noted that most of the inquired think their work environment is not safe and feel the necessity of having courses related to fauna and biosecurity regularly. Working with wild animals entails different kind of accidents and zoonoses associated with them. It is required to strengthen prevention measures in order to take care of the workers’ health.