FESP Module 5 Part 1

Summary

This safety pass module, led by Dr. Mahenza Irnam Homa Salim and Dr. Siti Aisha Hualif from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Malaysia, focuses on biological hazards. It covers types of biological hazards, such as infections, allergies, and poisoning, and how these can be transmitted by animals, microorganisms, or through experimental setups. The course emphasizes understanding zoonotic diseases, vector-borne infections, and safety protocols. Additionally, students are introduced to the Biosafety Act 2007 and the management of biohazards to ensure safe research environments.

Takeaways

• 🦠 Biological hazards include organisms, organic substances, or agents that pose health risks to living organisms through infections, allergies, and poisoning.
• 💉 Infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and are transmitted through various methods such as direct contact, zoonotic transmission, or vectors like mosquitoes.
• 🐾 Zoonotic diseases, such as leptospirosis and rabies, are transmitted from animals to humans and account for over 60% of all infections globally.
• 🦟 Vector-borne diseases require a vector, like mosquitoes or ticks, to transmit infections such as malaria and dengue from one host to another.
• 📊 Factors that influence infection risks include mode of transmission, routes of entry (e.g., respiratory system, ingestion, skin contact), infectious dose, host susceptibility, and the virulence of the agent.
• 🌿 Biohazardous materials fall into four main categories: microorganisms, plants, animals, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• ⚖️ The Biosafety Act 2007 regulates the use of living modified organisms to protect human, plant, and animal health and the environment.
• 🧫 Most dangerous biohazard cases globally are related to microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, posing significant health risks.
• 🧪 Biological toxins, like botulinum neurotoxins and ricin, are harmful substances produced by organisms, potentially causing poisoning, respiratory distress, seizures, and death.
• 🛡️ Managing biological hazards in experimental setups involves checking health certifications for animals, ensuring proper safety protocols, and applying for biosafety approvals for GMOs.

Q & A

What are biological hazards and how do they pose a threat to living organisms?

Biological hazards refer to any organism, organic matter, substance, or agent that poses a health effect or threat to living organisms. They can cause harm through infections, allergies, or poisoning.

What are the common infectious agents mentioned in the module?

The common infectious agents include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can cause diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, cholera, and COVID-19.

What are zoonotic diseases, and can you provide examples?

Zoonotic diseases are infections transmitted from animals to humans. Examples include leptospirosis (spread by mice), toxoplasmosis (spread by warm-blooded animals), campylobacter (transmitted by poultry), and rabies (spread through animal saliva).

What are vector-borne diseases and how are they transmitted?

Vector-borne diseases require a vector, such as mosquitoes, ticks, snails, flies, or fleas, to transmit infections between humans or animals. Common examples include malaria, dengue, and sleeping sickness.

What are the five factors that affect infection and exposure?

The five factors are: 1) mode of transmission (e.g., direct, indirect, zoonotic, airborne), 2) route of entry (e.g., inhalation, skin, ingestion, injection), 3) infectious dose, 4) host susceptibility, and 5) viability and virulence of the agent.

How do allergies differ from other health effects caused by biological hazards?

Allergies are a specific immune response where an individual's body reacts to a particular biological substance, whereas other health effects like infections and poisoning directly involve harmful agents attacking the body.

What is the purpose of the Biosafety Act 2007, and when does it apply?

The Biosafety Act 2007 aims to regulate the release, importation, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) to protect human, plant, and animal health. It applies when using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in experiments, requiring approval from biosafety committees.

What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and why are they considered biohazards?

GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially altered in a lab. They are considered biohazards because they create new combinations of genes that could have unforeseen environmental or health impacts.

What types of microorganisms are most often used in research, and what risks do they pose?

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi are commonly used in research, particularly in biomedical and chemical engineering. They pose risks such as infections, respiratory diseases, allergies, and in severe cases, death.

What is botulinum neurotoxin, and how does it affect human health?

Botulinum neurotoxin is a chemical produced by Clostridium bacteria, often found in improperly preserved food. It is highly dangerous, as it can damage the nervous system, causing paralysis and even death.