Biological hazards and diseases
Workers can be exposed to biological hazards such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi at work. These hazards can cause illness and disease. Some workers are more at risk than others. Learn how to manage the risk of exposure to biological hazards in the workplace.
Under work health and safety (WHS) law, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure the health and safety of workers and others at work by maintaining a safe workplace.
To manage the risk of exposure to biological hazards and diseases in the workplace, a PCBU must:
- apply a risk management approach to eliminate and/or minimise the risks in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable.
- consult with workers and/or their health and safety representatives.
Report serious illness and disease
You must notify SafeWork NSW of serious illnesses arising out of work.
You must also notify SafeWork NSW of any infection if work is a significant contributing factor.
You can notify SafeWork of a serious illness by calling 13 10 50. Read more about how to notify us.
Examples of incidents that need to be notified can be found on Safe Work Australia’s Incident notification information sheet.
Some diseases must also be notified to NSW Health.
You must notify SafeWork of the following occupational zoonoses contracted in the course of work:
- Q fever
- Anthrax
- Leptospirosis
- Brucellosis
- Hendra virus
- Avian influenza
- Psittacosis
See when to notify blood, body substance and needlestick injuries at the SafeWork NSW website.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are illnesses that can spread to humans from people, animals or the environment.
Workers can be exposed to:
Blood-borne viruses
A blood-borne virus (BBV) is a virus that is transmitted via blood, or via body substances that contain blood.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), together with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are the most common blood-borne viruses that workers could be exposed to within a workplace. Some workers are more at risk of exposure to BBVs than others.
The risk of infection is extremely low but, if left undiagnosed and/or untreated, the health consequences can be serious.
Find more information about Hepatitis and HIV on the SafeWork NSW website.
COVID-19
Coronaviruses cause respiratory illness in humans and animals. There are many types of coronaviruses.
COVID-19 is a relatively new coronavirus. Others include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Under WHS laws, PCBUs must manage the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission in the workplace. Find advice about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) at our website.
Mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases that are spread to humans through mosquito bites. The mosquito-borne diseases detected in NSW include:
- Japanese encephalitis (JE)
- Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE)
- Kunjin virus
- Ross River virus
- Barmah Forest virus
Visit the mosquito-borne diseases hub by NSW Health or our website for more information.
Japanese encephalitis (JE)
JE is a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
JEV is the only vaccine-preventable mosquito-borne disease in NSW.
Read the Japanese encephalitis safety alert for more details.
Zoonoses
Zoonoses are diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.
Contact with animals or animal products puts workers at risk of exposure. Some at-risk occupations include:
- veterinarians
- farmers
- abattoir workers
- shearers
- wildlife workers.
PCBUs can minimise the risk of exposure in the workplace by:
- implementing workplace design and engineering controls
- maintaining healthy animals
- developing safe work practices
Workers can minimise the risk by:
- practising good personal hygiene
- wearing protective clothing and equipment
- getting vaccinated (where a vaccine is available).
Anthrax
Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by infection with bacillus anthracis. It occurs among grazing animals worldwide, including livestock in parts of Australia. It can also infect humans.
Read the Anthrax fact sheet by NSW Health for more information.
Australian bat lyssavirus
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a virus transmitted from bats to humans. It spreads through bites or scratches from infected bats. It causes serious illness in humans similar (but not identical) to the rabies virus.
There are 12 types of lyssavirus worldwide. ABLV is the only type found in Australia.
People who handle bats in Australia are at risk of ABLV infection.
Read the Australian bat lyssavirus fact sheet by NSW Health for more information
Avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza (also known as bird flu) is an infectious viral disease that mostly spreads among wild birds. It can cause mild to severe illness in birds and other animals. Some strains can be transmitted to humans although human cases are rare.
Read more information on avian influenza at the SafeWork NSW website.
Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a rare infection caused by the bacteria brucella. It is transmitted to humans from infected animals such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs.
It is well controlled in most developed countries, such as Australia.
Read the Brucellosis fact sheet by NSW Health for more information.
Hendra virus
Hendra virus is a disease of horses and humans. It causes serious illness.
The virus passes from flying foxes to horses, and from horses to humans via blood, body fluids and tissues.
Find more information on hendra virus at the SafeWork NSW website or visit Safe Work Australia’s Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. The bacteria have been found in domestic and wild animals.
The bacteria are shed in an infected animal’s urine and tissues which can contaminate their environment.
Outbreaks are usually associated with exposure to flood water contaminated with urine from infected animals.
Workers most at risk of exposure are those who:
- have close contact with animals
are exposed to water, mud, soil or vegetation that has been contaminated with animal urine.
Find more information on leptospirosis at our website or download this fact sheet (PDF, 203.63 KB) about how to protect yourself.
Psittacosis
Psittacosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci. It is transmitted to humans from birds. Humans are usually infected by inhaling dust from the feathers, secretions, and droppings of infected birds.
Read the Psittacosis fact sheet by NSW Health for more information.
Q fever
Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. This bacteria is found in the tissues of infected animals. It can spread to humans from:
- cattle
- sheep
- goats
- a range of other domestic and wild animals.
Humans are usually infected by inhaling the bacteria that is in the air or dust when in contact with infected animals, animal tissues or animal products.
Find more information on Q fever at our website.