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Biological agents are small organisms such as bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, and their products. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) also fall into this category. Infectious diseases spread from a source to a potential victim (host). People spread biological agents, for example, by coughing, via their hands, blood, or feces. These biological agents are usually not harmful. In a hospital, there is a greater chance of coming into contact with biological agents that are harmful to health.
Risk categories
According to the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), biological agents are classified into four risk classes based on:
- their harmful effects on health
- the likelihood of their occurrence
- the existence of an effective method of preventing (prophylaxis) or treating the disease
Category 1: an agent that is unlikely to cause disease in humans.
Category 2: an agent that can cause disease in humans and may pose a risk to employees; it is unlikely to spread among the population; there is usually a good way to prevent or treat the disease.
Category 3: an agent that can cause serious illness in humans and poses a high risk to employees; it can spread among the population, but there is usually an effective way to prevent or treat the disease.
Category 4: an agent that causes serious illness in humans and poses a high risk to employees; it can spread easily among the population; there is usually no effective way to prevent or treat the disease.
Read more about the risk classes on the Arboportaal.