ANIMAL MANAGEMENT -- HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY

A number of concerns regarding human health and safety should be addressed by people involved in the management of livestock. Employment of proper animal handling techniques, as well as a respect for and awareness of the potential for injury will go a long way in preventing physical injury to people handling livestock. In addition to physical injury, there are a number of diseases potentially carried by animals that can also cause illness in people. Rabies is an example of a disease that can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected animal. Other important agents that can be carried by livestock include Leptospirosis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Chlamydiosis, and Q fever. As with prevention of physical injury, knowledge of proper handling techniques, use of personal protection and awareness of the potential for infection will also minimize the potential for illness in personnel working with livestock.

Tuberculosis and Brucellosis are livestock diseases that are regulated by the United States government. Cattle, sheep and swine are tested and closed herds are certified free of these infectious agents. Vaccines are available to immunize cattle, sheep and swine against the most common strains of bacteria causing Leptospirosis, which is commonly spread through urine, placenta and birthing fluids of infected animals. Chlamydiosis and Q fever agents infect cattle and sheep and are commonly spread in milk, feces, placenta and birthing fluids. Chlamydia vaccines are currently difficult to obtain and consequently are not widely used. There are no currently approved vaccines to prevent infection with the Q fever agent. Animals that are infected with these agents may appear healthy and normal, even when the infectious agents are present in high concentrations in the fluids and membranes expelled during lambing and calving. People become infected most commonly when assisting in calving and lambing through splashing of fluids into the mouth and eyes, contact with skin, or ingesting the agent because they did not wash their hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or using tobacco.

Important steps to take to minimize the chance of exposure are: 1) wear protective coveralls, boots and plastic gloves when assisting with parturition or handling afterbirth, 2) wear a mask if there is a high likelihood of the organism being aerosolized, 3) disinfect, discard or thoroughly wash any items contaminated with afterbirth or birthing fluids, 4) do not eat, drink or use tobacco while handling animals or their excreta, 5) always wash your hands thoroughly after handling animals or their excreta, 6) dispose of afterbirth by either incineration or burial to prevent the spread of infectious agents to other animals or people.

In most healthy people, infection with Leptospirosis, Chlamydiosis and Q fever agents will result in flu-like symptoms of fever, headache, and stiff, sore muscles. Infection of pregnant women, however, may result in pregnancy complications or abortion. Individuals with depressed immune systems may become seriously ill if exposed to these diseases. Potential exposure to these agents should be avoided by pregnant women and immune suppressed individuals. Notify your doctor of your potential exposure to these agents if you develop severe flu-like illness within days after being exposed to afterbirth or birthing fluids.