Hantaviruses in Agricultural and Forestry Workers: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Italian Physicians
Matteo Riccò1, Pietro Ferraro2, Simona Peruzzi3
1Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola n.2, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, RE, Italy.
Abstract:
Hantaviruses are viral pathogens usually endemic in rodent populations. Human exposure follows inhalation of dusts contaminated with rodent excreta, and most individuals have been infected in occupational settings heavily contaminated with rodent droppings, such as agricultural and forestry. To date, knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical professionals, especially occupational physicians (OP), regarding hantavirus disease in at-risk workers have been scarcely investigated. We investigated these topics through a structured questionnaire administered through an online survey of 223 medical professionals (42.2% of them working as OP). Adequate general knowledge of hantavirus disease was found in 48.9% of respondents, with OP exhibiting a better understanding of clinical features of human hantavirus infections. OP aware of the endemic status of hantavirus in North-Eastern Italy exhibited higher risk perception for agricultural workers (odds ratio 21,193, 95% confidence interval 3.666-122.505). On the contrary, a better knowledge of hantaviruses was association with acknowledging an increased risk of hantavirus infection in forestry workers (odds ratio 5.880, 95% confidence interval 1.620-21.343). Hantavirus in Italy represent an often-overlooked biological risk in occupational settings. The lack of preventive immunization, the inappropriate risk perception and the unsatisfying awareness of hantavirus issues collectively stress the importance of appropriate information campaigns among health care providers.
Insights
Medical professionals have limited knowledge of hantavirus disease, a significant occupational risk. Improving awareness and risk perception among healthcare providers is crucial for protecting at-risk workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Hantaviruses are rodent-borne pathogens posing occupational risks, particularly in agricultural and forestry settings.
- Human exposure typically occurs via inhalation of contaminated dust from rodent excreta.
- Limited research exists on medical professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning hantavirus disease in at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical professionals regarding hantavirus disease.
- To identify factors influencing risk perception among healthcare providers for occupational exposure.
- To evaluate the current understanding of hantavirus as a biological risk in Italian occupational settings.
Main Methods:
- A structured questionnaire was administered via an online survey.
- The survey targeted 223 medical professionals, including a significant proportion of occupational physicians (OP).
- Statistical analysis, including odds ratios, was used to evaluate knowledge and risk perception.
Main Results:
- Only 48.9% of respondents demonstrated adequate general knowledge of hantavirus disease.
- Occupational physicians showed better understanding of clinical features compared to other medical professionals.
- Awareness of hantavirus endemicity in North-Eastern Italy correlated with higher perceived risk for agricultural workers.
- Greater knowledge of hantaviruses was associated with increased perceived risk for forestry workers.
Conclusions:
- Hantavirus represents an underestimated occupational biological risk in Italy.
- Inadequate knowledge, risk perception, and awareness highlight the need for targeted information campaigns for healthcare providers.
- There is a critical need to enhance preventive strategies and healthcare provider education on hantavirus disease in occupational settings.
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