Zoonoses ocupacionais: riscos biológicos associados ao manejo da vida silvestre no bioma Cerrado

Abstract

Despite the obvious relevance of occupational zoonoses, the issue seems to be neglected both in academia, by the limited number of publications, and among potentially exposed professionals, who often work without adequate training, material, or individual protection. An animal far from its natural habitat, as a result mainly of environmental imbalances, becomes potentially a problem in urban, rural or wild environment, mainly by the exchange of diseases between men and animals, designated as zoonoses. There is no doubt that the entire population is threatened by the contagion of zoonotic agents, however, professionals who handle wild animals in the field or in the laboratory are potentially more exposed to the infection by these pathogens, which may be viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the routine of professionals handling wild animals, as well as their knowledge and practices regarding the risks of infection by zoonoses. For that, analyzed questions about biological accidents among professionals handling wild animals, their incidence, animals involved, degree of professional knowledge of risks and prevention measures. These, among other questions were organized in a semistructured questionnaire that was answered by the professionals of the public network of the municipality of Uberlândia that handle wild animals. In addition, access to firefighters' bulletin records of the past three years, related to the incidents of these military personnel with wild animals, contributed with unusual information. The anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla) were the most contacted animals, followed by the hedgehog (Coendou villosus) and opossums (mainly Didelphis marsupialis). The use of personal protective equipment was less frequent among professionals with longer working time in the various functions described In addition, relevant information was used in the elaboration of a zoonotic disease risk information tool to assist in coping with accidents with wild animals in the cerrado biome.