Abstract
The authors present an overview of occupational diseases reported in the branches of economic activity of health and social care and veterinary activity in the Czech Republic between 1996 and 2007. Since 2001, health service has been among the sectors with the highest numbers of occupational diseases diagnosed.
These high numbers were mainly contributed by communicable and parasitic diseases and occupational dermatoses. The three leading infectious diseases were scabies, viral hepatitides, and tuberculosis.
Occupational dermatoses, asthmas, and allergic rhinitides were most often caused by disinfectants containing glutaraldehyde. The professions most affected included: nurses, orderlies, doctors, cleaners, and laboratory workers.
Typically, employees fell ill within the first four years after starting their job. In conclusion, the authors recommend paying increased attention to newly entering employees, particularly in the above mentioned professions.