Occupationally Acquired Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria in Brunei Darussalam

Simian malaria is a zoonotic disease caused by Plasmodium knowlesi infection. The common natural reservoir of the parasite is the macaque monkey and the vector is the Anopheles mosquito. Human cases of P. knowlesi infection has been reported in all South East Asian countries in the last decade, and it is currently the most common type of malaria seen in Malaysia and Brunei. Between 2007–2017, 73 cases of P. knowlesi infection were notified and confirmed to the Ministry of Health in Brunei. Of these, 15 cases (21%) were documented as work-related, and 28 other cases (38%) were classified as probably related to work (due to incomplete history). The occupations of those with probable and confirmed work related infections were border patrol officers, Armed Forces and security personnel, Department of Forestry officers, boatmen and researchers. The remaining cases classified as most likely not related to work were possibly acquired via peri-domestic transmission. The risk of this zoonotic infection extends to tourists and overseas visitors who have to travel to the jungle in the course of their work. It can be minimised with the recommended use of prophylaxis for those going on duty into the jungles, application of mosquito/insect repellants, and use of repellant impregnated uniforms and bed nets in jungle camp sites.

Knowledge and Risk Perceptions of Occupational Infections Among Health-care Workers in Malaysia

Health-care workers are at risk of exposure to occupational infections with subsequent risk of contracting diseases, disability, and even death. A systematic collection of occupational disease data is useful for monitoring current trends in work situations and disease exposures; however, these data are usually limited due to under-reporting. The objective of this study was to review literature related to knowledge, risk perceptions, and practices regarding occupational exposures to infectious diseases in Malaysian health-care settings, in particular regarding blood-borne infections, universal precautions, use of personal protective equipment, and clinical waste management. The data are useful for determining improvements in knowledge and risk perceptions among health-care workers with developments of health policies and essential interventions for prevention and control of occupational diseases.

Estudio descriptivo de la presentación de brucelosis humana en Colombia desde 2000 hasta 2012 / Descriptive Study of the Presentation of Human Brucellosis in Colombia (2000-2012) / Estudo descritivo da apresentação de brucelose humana na Colômbia desde 2000 até 2012

El objetivo de la investigación fue realizar un estudio descriptivo de la ocurrencia de brucelosis humana en Colombia entre 2000 y 2012, y con base en estudios previos conocer la prevalencia e incidencia de la enfermedad, las limitaciones para el diagnóstico oportuno y el reconocimiento de la enfermedad por el sistema laboral colombiano. La investigación se basó en la búsqueda y análisis de la información publicada en artículos relacionados con brucelosis humana entre 2000 y 2012 en Colombia. En esta investigación se incluyó una fase de recopilación de información y entrevistas no estructuradas a representantes de programas de control de brucelosis y a profesionales expertos. Se analizaron 17 trabajos de brucelosis humana realizados en el personal a riesgo en plantas de beneficio, expendedores y vacunadores del programa de brucelosis animal, en los cuales se reportaron 10 estudios con prevalencias entre 0,14% y 10,4% y 7 con seropositividad. En estos se encontró alguna información pertinente a las limitaciones del diagnóstico y se evidenció el poco conocimiento de la comunidad médica frente a la enfermedad. En Colombia no hay una política clara respecto a esta zoonosis de riesgo ocupacional. Solo se menciona la brucelosis en el Decreto 2566 de 2009, en la cual se adopta la nueva tabla de enfermedades profesionales. Se concluye que la brucelosis humana en Colombia es una enfermedad subdiagnosticada y, por lo tanto, subnotificada, ya que no existe un sistema de notificación obligatoria.

This research aims to conduct a descriptive study of the occurrence of human brucellosis in Colombia between 2000 and 2012, and, based on previous studies, to determine the prevalence and incidence of the disease, and the limitations for its timely diagnosis and recognition by the Colombian labor system. The research consisted of searching for and analyzing articles on human brucellosis published between 2000 and 2012 in Colombia. It included a phase of information gathering and unstructured interviews with representatives of brucellosis control programs and experienced professionals. We analyzed 17 studies of human brucellosis cases in personnel at risk in slaughterhouses, retailers and vaccinators for animal brucellosis programs: 10 of them reported prevalences between 0.14% and 10.4%, and seven evidenced seropositivity. Information revealed the limitations of the diagnosis, and it demonstrated the little knowledge of the medical community about this disease. In Colombia, there is no clear policy regarding this occupational zoonosis. Brucellosis is mentioned only in Decree 2566 of 2009, in which the new table of occupational diseases is established. The paper concludes that human brucellosis in Colombia is an underdiagnosed, and therefore underreported, disease since there is no mandatory reporting system on the subject.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi realizar um estudo descritivo da ocorrência de brucelose humana na Colômbia entre 2000 e 2012, e com base em estudos prévios conhecer a prevalência e incidência da doença, as limitações para o diagnóstico oportuno e o reconhecimento da doença pelo sistema laboral colombiano. A pesquisa se baseou na busca e análise da informação publicada em artigos relacionados com brucelose humana entre 2000 e 2012 na Colômbia. Nesta pesquisa se incluiu uma fase de recopilação de informação e entrevistas não estruturadas às representantes de programas de controle de brucelose e a profissionais especialistas. Analisaram-se 17 trabalhos de brucelose humana realizados no pessoal a risco em plantas de benefício, vendedores e vacinadores do programa de brucelose animal, nos quais se reportaram 10 estudos com prevalências entre 0,14% e 10,4% e 7 com soro positividade. Nestes se encontrou alguma informação pertinente às limitações do diagnóstico e se evidenciou o pouco conhecimento da comunidade médica frente na doença. Na Colômbia não há uma política clara em relação com esta zoonose de risco ocupacional. Solo se menciona a brucelose no Decreto 2566 de 2009, na qual se adota a nova tabela de doenças profissionais. Conclui-se que a brucelose humana na Colômbia é uma doença subdiagnosticada e, portanto, subnotificada, já que não existe um sistema de notificação obrigatória.