Work-related Covid-19: how to recognize and notify

Abstract

Background

Covid-19 is the disease caused by coronavirus-2 of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-Cov-2) recognized as a pandemic with community transmission in Brazil. Knowing the potential occupational exposure and transmission mechanisms are essentials to define preventive and protective strategies.

Objective

This article presents a proposal to systematize the recognition, characterization and notification of covid-19 as a work-related disease (WDR).

Method

Literature review on the subject to systematize the qualitative assessment of occupational risks and the potential relationship between covid-19 and work.

Results

A matrix was proposed indicating that covid-19 can be: presumably work-related for high or very high exposure to the virus; probably work-related for medium exposure; or possibly work-related for lower exposure to the virus.

Conclusion

The characterization and notification of work-related covid-19 in the information systems allows the analysis of the epidemiological profile, which is essential to plan actions of comprehensive health care for workers, and to contribute to the inseparability between assistance and health surveillance.

Keywords:
surveillance of the workers' health; disease notification; occupational exposure; occupational diseases