Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of occupational injuries and illnesses associated with the zoo veterinarian medical practice. A 14-page comprehensive survey was mailed to all 565 United States members of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) to identify the frequency of physical injuries, radiation exposures, chemical exposures, allergic or irritant reactions, infections, and use of preventive measures. The response rate was 55.8% (315/565). Results are summarized in Tables 1–7 and Figure 1. Significant findings include major animal-related injury (61.8%, major animal-related injury is defined as one for which medical treatment was required either by a physician or self-administered, excluding those requiring only topical antibiotics), back injury (55%), necropsy injury (44.1%), adverse formalin exposure (40.2%), animal allergy (32.2%), zoonotic infection (30.2%), and insect allergy (14.2%). We also found that sex, length of experience, and practice type affected the number and type of incidents encountered in practice. Females were more likely than males to report a zoonotic infection, insect allergy, and an adverse exposure to anesthetic gas, formalin, and disinfectants/sterilants. Zoo veterinarians with more years of experience were more likely to receive a major animal-related injury and associated hospitalization, back injury and associated lost work time, adverse anesthetic gas exposure, and a positive skin test for tuberculosis. Full-time zoo veterinarians were more likely than other practice types to report back injury and inadequate knowledge of occupational hazards. Results are compared to hazards reported by veterinarians working in other fields. The frequency of injuries reported demonstrates a greater need for comprehensive health and safety programs for zoo veterinarians. In addition to the requirements mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910, summaries of prudent safety and industrial hygiene practices are provided.

Table 1. Percentage of respondents exposed to specific agents from needle sticks

^aTypes of other exposure agents were not reported.

Table 2. Percentage of respondents that reported major animal-related injuries

^aOther injuries included talon punctures and lacerations, shoulder separation, finger dislocation, broken tooth, fractured wrist and nose, fractured hand, hand trauma, hernia, herniated disk, contusion from fluke, and cervical fracture.

Table 3. Percentage of respondents that reported a necropsy-related injury and the percentage that reported medical treatment for at least one of those injuries

^aOther injuries/illnesses reported included bone splinters, serum sickness, injuries from incinerator explosion (injuries unknown), eye trauma, and zoonotic exposure (psittacosis, plague, M. bovis, and rabies).

Table 4. Prevalence of adverse exposures to specific pesticides

Table 5. Prevalence of adverse exposures to specific disinfectants/sterilants

Table 6. Number of zoonotic infections reported among respondents

Table 7. Prevalence of vaccinations among zoo veterinarian respondents

Figure 1. Percentage of respondents who followed various hygiene practices