An employer has approached your service with an inquiry about hepatitis C transmission in the workplace. Paul, one of his employees, has recently disclosed to the manager of the factory that he has hepatitis C. The employer has made other staff of the factory aware of the person’s hepatitis C status, as he believes this will assist in the protection of the health and safety of other workers. The employer believes that there is a real risk of transmission in the workplace. The manager is also concerned about transmission occurring via mosquitoes, as there are many on the factory floor. What are the issues and how would you respond?
Issues for discussion
- Mosquitoes can sometimes transmit illnesses from human to human (mechanical transmission) when they are interrupted during feeding and move to another host with a minute amount of blood present on the proboscis (feeding spike). Research indicates this type of transmission cannot occur with hep C, HIV or hep B. In warmer regions of the world where mosquitos are
- endemic, the viral levels (of HCV/HBV and HIV) in children exposed to mosquitos (who are not exposed to other risk practices such as IDU) clearly indicate the lack of risk from mosquitoes as a vector for the transmission of such viruses. Scientists also believe that where the virus is swallowed into the middle gut of the host mosquito (biological transmission) the HIV/HCV/HBV virus is then inactivated in the mosquito’s gut and digested in much the same way people digest food- by breaking it down using acid.
Client issues
- Discrimination often follows when disclosure has occurred within the workplace. How can you best support Paul in addressing issues of possible discrimination?
- What information can you supply to the employer and staff?
- What issues relating to stress and isolation may Paul be experiencing?
- Could this breach in privacy/confidentiality have ramifications for Paul’s employment or position within the company?
Organisational issues
- A disclosure/confidentiality policy needs to be developed
- On-site training would provide information regarding transmission and issues relating to discrimination in the workplace.
- Mediation may need to take place in order to resolve any potential problems created from the disclosure.