Occupational infectious diseases in employees in the healthcare service 2017. Claims data from the Occupational Accident Insurance Association for healthcare and welfare services

IntroductionHealth service employees are exposed to an increased risk of infection in the care of infectious patients. The prevalence of occupational infections (BK No.3101) can be estimated from the routine data of the statutory health insurance.MethodsData were taken from the routine data sets of the Occupational Accident Insurance Association for healthcare and welfare services (BGW). The evaluation is based on the reported cases that were recognized as occupational diseases. Absolute and relative prevalence values are reported. The risk of disease for selected occupations is described as the prevalence per 100,000 full-time employees (FTE).ResultsDuring the report year 2017, the BGW received 977 reports of suspected cases of a BK No.3101. In 512 cases the infectious disease was recognized as an occupational disease. In 22cases anew occupational disease pension was approved. The risk of an occupational infectious disease was 10diseases per 100,000 FTE. The risk of disease was highly dependent on the occupation and ranged from 9cases per 100,000 FTE in outpatient care to 32cases in hospitals. There were major contributions from latent tuberculosis infections and scabies. Cases of blood-borne hepatitis have become only sporadic events.DiscussionThe most frequently recognized occupational infectious diseases are latent tuberculosis infections, active tuberculosis and hepatitisC. Scabies is mainly relevant to geriatric care. Although occupational blood-borne hepatitis infections have become rarer, the clinical course may be severe, so that the risk of an occupational infection is still worthy of attention.