Occupational hazards for veterinary surgeons responsible for intensive pigherds. I common risk factors

A number of human health problems associated with veterinarians responsible for intensively managed pig herds exist. These were evaluated via a questi onnaire - based study of 168 such veterinarians, subdivided into two groups by age. Group 1 comprised 102 veterinarians less than 40 years of age and Group 2 comprised 66 veterinarians 40 years of age ol older. The occupation al hazards evaluated were zoonoses, injuries, allergies and toxicoses. Dermatomycosis was recorded by 2 veterinarians (1.9%) in Group 1, but no zo onotic conditions were recorded in Group 2. Minor injuries were common in b oth groups (89.2% in Group 1 and 100% in Group 2). Pack and joint problems were recorded by 30.4% of Group 1 and by 57.6% of Group 2. Allergic reasons and toxicoses were recorded infrequently, 1.9% of Group 1 and 1.5% of Grou p 2 recorded allergic reactions and toxicoses were only reported by 1 veter inarian (1%) in Group 1.