Hepatitis A in healthcare workers has occasionally been seen in residential institutions for the mentally handicapped. Workers involved in sewage treatment facilities are also potentially at risk. However, the acute disease can be debilitating in some adults and occasional cases of fulminating Hepatitis A have been recorded. Tetanus Tetanus is a serious life-threatening condition caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani. The spore forming ability of the organism means that it will survive indefinitely in samples unless they are specifically inactivated.
Transmission is via skin wounds and is believed to have been imperceptible in some cases.
These students should obtain Hepatitis B immunisation, at least six months before the work is due to commence. In cases where such students do not wish to be immunised, even after being appraised of the risks involved, serious consideration should be given to changing the nature of the project that the student is to undertake in order to remove the risk of exposure to the virus. The number of students in the University at risk from Hepatitis A as a result of their studies is likely to be very small. There are some groups, however, who are at risk and these include engineering students whose course work entails a secondment to sewage treatment works. It is recommended that all such students be immunised.