Cutaneous infection in meatworkers

Cutaneous infections occurring in abattoir workers are an under-recognizedcause of occupational morbidity. This study examined the incidentrates of cutaneous infection in a medium sized metropolitanabattoir in Adelaide, South Australia. The results show thatcutaneous infections are common (0.65 per 1,000 working days)and that there exists an association between the nature of thework task within the abattoir and infection rates. Specifically,those individuals handling animal hides have higher rates ofinfection compared to other workers. The implications of thesefindings are discussed with particular emphasis on the preventionof these infections.