Occupational infection in Korea.
Occupational infection is a human disease caused by work-associated exposure to microbial agents through human and environmental contact. According to the literature, occupational infection was the third leading cause of occupational disease (861 cases, 8.0%), and health care, agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers were risk groups in Korea. In addition, most high-risk groups have not been protected by workers' compensation, which could lead to underestimation of the exact spectrum and magnitude of the problem, and may also result in a lack of development and implementation of occupational infection management. Through a review of national guidelines and documentations on prevention and control of occupational infection, a management strategy would promote adherence to worker safety regulations if it is explicit with regard to the agent and mode of infection in each of the high-risk groups.
Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Incheon, Korea. yk.chungmd@gmail.com
Yun Kyung
YK
Chung
Yeon-Soon
YS
Ahn
Jae Sim
JS
Jeong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014942:Workers' Compensation
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