How many occupational infections have been reported?

How many occupational infections have been reported?

Up until December 2006, health care workers in the USA reported 57 occupational HIV infections. Of these, 48 had percutaneous exposure; 5, mucocutaneous exposure; 2, both percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposure; and 2, an unknown route of exposure. In addition, 140 possible occupational transmissions have occurred among healthcare personnel. These are cases in which a worker is infected with HIV and has a history of occupational exposure, but did not have a test immediately before and after the possible exposure. As no other risk factors are reported, it is most likely that the infection has occurred as a result of that occupational exposure.¹²⁴

It should be noted that because of the voluntary nature of the reporting system, there might be some under-reporting of cases. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasise that over 90 percent of health care workers infected with HIV also have non-occupational risk factors for acquiring their infection. ¹²⁵

In the UK, as of November 2008, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reported that there have been five documented cases of HIV infection after occupational exposure in the healthcare setting, the last being in 1999.