Occupational accidents in workers associated with wild animals at the National Zoo Park of Cuba

Authors

  • Ginette Villar Echarte Parque Zoológico Nacional
  • Rachel Ortiz Vasallo Parque Zoológico Nacional

Keywords:

occupational accidents, exposed workers, wild animals, zoos

Abstract

The veterinary practice is a profession that is considered high-risk, high possibility for people who practice of accidents or injuries. The aim of this study was to identify the different occupational accidents associated with wild animals. For this, a total of 53 surveys between biologists, medical and veterinary experts from the National Zoo Park of Cuba were carried out. It was determined that 81.39% have suffered some occupational accidents by instrumental or equipment, being injuries containment cages and punctures or injections without the most common fluids. Similarly, the 88.91% of animals have been attacked, with scratches / scratches and bites / stings are the most common. The orders were the most affected followed by Artiodactyla and Carnivora Perisodactyla equally. Hands and arms were the most affected areas of the body. The study found that 29% of workers surveyed are not safe in their work environments, and they believe necessary to receive and biosafety management courses regularly. The work with wild animals exposed to different accidents, so be intensified prevention measures in order to prevent these affect the health of workers.

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Author Biographies

Ginette Villar Echarte, Parque Zoológico Nacional

Doctora en Medicina Veterinaria, Máster en Ciencias, Especialista en Fauna Exótica y Silvestre,

Rachel Ortiz Vasallo, Parque Zoológico Nacional

Doctora en Medicina Veterinaria

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Published

2020-04-19

How to Cite

1.
Villar Echarte G, Ortiz Vasallo R. Occupational accidents in workers associated with wild animals at the National Zoo Park of Cuba. rev cuban salud trabajo [Internet]. 2020 Apr. 19 [cited 2025 Jul. 19];17(3):15-20. Available from: https://revsaludtrabajo.sld.cu/index.php/revsyt/article/view/50

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Section

Original articles