Esporotricose e meio ambiente: avaliação dos riscos ocupacionais em trabalhadores da saúde animal

Sporotrichosis is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Sporothrix sp., affecting both humans and animals. It is an emerging and neglected disease, and in the occupational context, veterinarians and other professionals involved in animal health surveillance and public health, are exposed to specific risks of zoonotic diseases. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate occupational disease relates to zoonotic sporotrichosis among workers at the Center for Zoonosis Surveillance (UVZ) in Contagem, MG, Brazil, focusing on the analysis of occupational hazards using the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) technique to identify potential risks and preventive measures in the workplace. The analysis demonstrates the easy applicability of the techniques, originally used in industrial environments, in healthcare settings. Their use made it possible to reveal that certain tasks were associated with higher risks of occupational exposure to sporotrichosis and to identify mitigating measures. The preventive measures identifies have broad implications for public health policies and practices in Brazil and in other countries with similar occupational risks, as this population is particularly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases due to their direct contact with infected animals and their agents.