Industrial Hog Operation Workers’ Perspectives on Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Qualitative Pilot Study in North Carolina, USA

Author:

Gigot Carolyn1ORCID,Lowman Amy2,Ceryes Caitlin A.3,Hall Devon J.4,Heaney Christopher D.1567

Affiliation:

1. Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

2. Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

3. Department of Health Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA

4. Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, Warsaw, NC, USA

5. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

6. Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

7. Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Community Science and Innovation for Environmental Justice Initiative, Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MA, USA

Abstract

Industrial hog operation (IHO) workers face a range of occupational hazards, including exposure to zoonotic pathogens such as livestock-associated antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and swine-origin influenza viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential. To better understand this population's occupational exposure to zoonotic pathogens, we conducted a community-driven qualitative research study in eastern North Carolina. We completed in-depth interviews with ten IHO workers and used thematic analysis to identify and analyze patterns of responses. Workers described direct and indirect occupational contact with hogs, with accompanying potential for dermal, ingestion, and inhalation exposures to zoonotic pathogens. Workers also described potential take-home pathways, wherein they could transfer livestock-associated pathogens and other contaminants from IHOs to their families and communities. Findings warrant future research, and suggest that more restrictive policies on antimicrobials, stronger health and safety regulations, and better policies and practices across all IHOs could afford greater protection against worker and take-home zoonotic pathogen exposures.

Funder

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Thrasher Research Fund

Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Johns Hopkins NIOSH Education and Research Center

National Science Foundation

GRACE Communications Foundation

Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Medicine

Reference68 articles.

1. USDA. Hogs and Pork - sector at a glance. USDA Economic Research Service, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/hogs-pork/sector-at-a-glance/ (2022, accessed 12 April 2022).

2. USDA. Annual statistical bulletin. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Carolina Field Office, https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/North_Carolina/Publications/Annual_Statistical_Bulletin/index.php (2022, accessed 12 April 2022).

3. BLS. Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry and case types, 2020. US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities, https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/os/summ1_00_2020.htm (2020, accessed 5 October 2022).

4. Worker Health and Safety in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

5. Community and occupational health concerns in pork production: A review1

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