Zoonoses, bite wounds and working environment
Your own safety is part of the trade
A zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Because veterinary nurses have close daily contact with both living and sick animals the risk of zoonotic transmission is a fixed part of the trade's work environment — on a par with bite injuries scratch injuries and needle stick accidents with needles. Good professionalism is therefore not only about taking care of the patient but also about taking care of yourself and your colleagues.
§Bite injuries — an underreported risk
Studies of Danish clinical veterinary practice indicate that bite injuries occur more frequently than official figures show because they are often not reported as workplace accidents. This is a problem because behind an apparently superficial bite hides a potential for serious infection—animal mouths carry bacteria that can cause deep tissue infections if the wound is not treated correctly from the start.
§Employer's responsibility under occupational health and safety law
Your employer has under work environment regulations a duty to inform and instruct you about the infection risks associated with the work so you can perform the tasks safely and healthily. It also means the employer must provide relevant protective equipment and ensure access to cleaning and skincare products that protect the skin from repeated handwashing and disinfection throughout the day.
§Prevention in everyday life
- 01Wash hands or use hand disinfectant between each patient — it breaks the infection chain between animals.
- 02Use personal protective equipment (gloves, apron) when in contact with body fluids, wounds or suspected infectious disease.
- 03Handle and fix animals correctly — fear stress and pain are the factors that most often trigger bites and scratches.
- 04Dispose of needles and sharp objects in approved containers immediately after use.
- 05Know and follow the clinic's internal procedures for isolating patients with suspected infectious disease.
§Know your sources
Both the Danish Veterinary Association and industry organizations have published guides on zoonoses aimed at veterinary practice that describe the most common transmission routes and symptoms you should be able to recognize. It's worth knowing them — not to memorize everything but to know where to look when you have a specific question or uncertain situation.
“Safety is not something you do when you have spare time — it is part of the work technique itself.”