| Animal Borne Diseases |  | |
Diseases of concern in the workplace
In Washington State there are a few diseases carried by insects (vector borne) and other animals (zoonotic) that pose a risk to workers. Click on the disease below to get information on that disease and what you can do to decrease the risk of exposure in the workplace.
Hantavirus |
Tick borne disease(Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia) |
Rabies |
West Nile Virus |
Who is at risk for exposure to animal borne diseases
- Persons who work outdoors or frequently come into contact with wild animals.
- Persons who work with animal borne disease agents or work with animals in the laboratory setting. See below for resources on laboratory safety.
Regulation & Policy
Where exposure to animal borne diseases has been recognized as a hazard in your workplace the hazard should be included in your overall accident prevention program.
- WAC 296-800-110 Safe Workplace
- WAC 296-800-140 Accident Prevention Program
- WAC 296-800-160 Personal Protective Equipment
- WAC 296-842 Respirators
- WAC 296-800-220 Housekeeping, Drainage, and Storage
Resources
The following resources provide additional information on vector borne and zoonotic diseases:
- Washington State Office
of Environmental Health and Safety
Zoonotic Disease Program - CDC Zoonotic Disease Homepage
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (CDC 4th ed.)
- Occupational
Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals (1997)
