Recognition of COVID-19 with occupational origin: a comparison between European countries

• Autor(a) principal: Nys, E
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Pauwels, S, Ádám, B, Amaro, J, Athanasiou, A, Bashkin, O, Bric, TK, Bulat, P, Caglayan, C, Guseva, Canu, I, Cebanu, S, Charbotel, B, Cirule, J, Curti, S, Davidovitch, N, Dopelt, K, Fikfak, MD, Frilander, H, Gustavsson, P, Höper, AC, Kiran, S, Kogevinas, M, Kudász, F, Kolstad, HA, Lazarevic, SB, Macan, J, Majery, N, Marinaccio, A, Mates, D, Mattioli, S, McElvenny, DM, Mediouni, Z, Mehlum, IS, Merisalu, E, Mijakoski, D, Nena, E, Noone, P, Otelea, MR, Pelclova, D, Pranjic, N, Rosso, M, Serra, C, Rushton, L, Sandal, A, Schernhammer, ES, Stoleski, S, Turner, MC, van der Molen, HF, Varga, M, Walusiak-Skorupa, J, Straif, K, Godderis, L
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://hdl.handle.net/10216/156284

Objectives This study aims to present an overview of the formal recognition of COVID-19 as occupational disease (OD) or injury (OI) across Europe. Methods A COVID-19 questionnaire was designed by a task group within COST-funded OMEGA-NET and sent to occupational health experts of 37 countries in WHO European region, with a last update in April 2022. Results The questionnaire was filled out by experts from 35 countries. There are large differences between national systems regarding the recognition of OD and OI: 40% of countries have a list system, 57% a mixed system and one country an open system. In most countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as an OD (57%). In four countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as OI (11%) and in seven countries as either OD or OI (20%). In two countries, there is no recognition possible to date. Thirty-two countries (91%) recognise COVID-19 as OD/OI among healthcare workers. Working in certain jobs is considered proof of occupational exposure in 25 countries, contact with a colleague with confirmed infection in 19 countries, and contact with clients with confirmed infection in 21 countries. In most countries (57%), a positive PCR test is considered proof of disease. The three most common compensation benefits for COVID-19 as OI/OD are disability pension, treatment and rehabilitation. Long COVID is included in 26 countries. Conclusions COVID-19 can be recognised as OD or OI in 94% of the European countries completing this survey, across different social security and embedded occupational health systems.