Retrospective Risk Assessment of Injuries and Fatalities in the Forestry and Logging Workforce in the United States, 2003-2019.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study on the forestry and logging workforce are to: 1) Analyze causes of injuries/fatalities to inform future intervention studies focused on risk mitigation, 2) determine whether there are any trends or associations between work-related risk factors and workplace injuries/fatalities over a 16-year period (2003-2019), and 3) identify knowledge gaps related to injuries and fatalities for future studies to address. METHODS: Data on fatalities, injuries, and illnesses of the forestry and logging workforce from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics were analyzed. Correlation analysis (p < .05) was conducted to assess the relationship between causes of forestry and logging workforce fatalities by cause of fatality in the United States. Injury and fatality rates were calculated for each year (fatalities: 2003-2018; injuries: 2005-2019) and time span-specific incidence rates were calculated by cause. RESULTS: Contact with objects and equipment was the primary cause of injuries and fatalities in the forestry and logging workforce during the study period. Transportation-related incidents ranked second as the cause of fatalities, while the category of falls, slips, and trips was the second leading cause of injuries. CONCLUSION: Gaps in occupational health and safety identified by this study should be collaboratively addressed by researchers and the forestry industry.

Assessment of barrier treatments impacting Aedes albopictus (diptera: culicidae) using lambda-cyhalothrin and pyriproxyfen in a suburban neighborhood in Eastern North Carolina, 2018.

Pyrethroids are commonly used in barrier treatments but less is known about how mosquitoes are affected by the simultaneous application of an insect growth regulator (i.e., pyriproxyfen) used in barrier treatments. This field study, conducted from May 14 - October 16, 2018, evaluated the effect of lambda-cyhalothrin (pyrethroid adulticide) and pyriproxyfen on the reproduction (measured by fecundity and adult emergence) and abundance of Aedes albopictus. Nine properties were treated with Demand®CS 0.06% + Archer® 0.010% (every 60 days) and three control properties received no treatment (N=12 total properties). No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed between abundance of Ae. albopictus in treatment compared to control groups. However, significant differences were observed in abundance of Ae. albopictus adults between weeks at both control (P = 0.003) and treatment (P < 0.0001) properties. Results from our research show that continued studies are needed to determine the efficacy of barrier treatments for this species. .

Impact of Mosquito Age and Insecticide Exposure on Susceptibility of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) to Infection with Zika Virus.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted to humans by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Vector⁻virus interactions influencing vector competence vary and depend on biological and environmental factors. A mosquito's chronological age may impact its immune response against virus infection. Insecticides, source reduction, and/or public education are currently the best defense against mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV. This study assessed the effects of a mosquito's chronological age at time of infection on its response to ZIKV infection. We exposed young (6⁻7 d post-emergence) and old (11⁻12 d post-emergence) Ae. albopictus to a sublethal dose of bifenthrin prior to oral exposure to blood meals containing ZIKV (7-day incubation period). Old mosquitoes experienced a significantly (p < 0.01) higher rate of mortality than young mosquitoes. Significantly higher ZIKV body titers (p < 0.01) were observed in the old control group compared to the young control group. Significantly higher (p < 0.01) ZIKV dissemination rates and leg titers (p < 0.01) were observed in old bifenthrin-exposed mosquitoes compared to old control mosquitoes or young bifenthrin-exposed or control mosquitoes. Hence, bifenthrin exposure may increase the potential for virus transmission; however, the degree of these impacts varies with mosquito age. Impacts of insecticides should be considered in risk assessments of potential vector populations.