Farmworker Safety
H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
H5N1 bird flu is a virus that has been found in cows. It can also be found in poultry and other animals. People who work with infected animals or their byproducts (for example, raw milk), such as dairy and poultry workers, might get sick from the virus.
How it Spreads
This virus could spread from animals to people in several ways:
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- If you touch something contaminated with the virus and touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- If a liquid which contains live virus splashes into your eyes (like raw cow's milk from an infected cow, for example)
- If you eat, drink, or inhale droplets contaminated with virus
- If you handle sick or dead animals infected with the virus
Symptoms can include:
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- Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
- Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
- Fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater) or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Pneumonia requiring hospitalization
Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.
Prevention
When you are performing work in medium and high exposure settings you should use PPE. If you are not wearing (PPE) during these work tasks, avoid direct or close physical contact with:
- Any animals that are or might be sick, including birds, dairy cows, and other livestock, including
- Feces, urine, or litter from these animals
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk from these animals
- Any animals that have died, including birds and livestock
- Internal organs or udders from lactating dairy cows
- Surfaces and water (for example, ponds, waterers, buckets, pans, troughs) on farms with potentially infected animals that might be contaminated with animal waste or waste milk
Wear PPE
In medium and high exposure settings, wear PPE when in contact with or around dairy cows, raw milk, other animals, or surfaces and other items that might be contaminated. You may need more PPE than what you use for your normal duties. The type of PPE you need will depend on:
- Your work tasks;
- If there are confirmed or suspected cases of H5N1 bird flu in your farm or area.
Workers who have a high exposure level will require more PPE than those with medium exposure levels.
Your employer should provide the recommended PPE at no cost. Ask your supervisor if you have questions about what type of PPE to wear or when or how to use it. Putting on and removing PPE should occur during work hours.
To connect with the Mid-Michigan District Health Department and get a FREE flu shot, scan the QR Code, or contact:
Sheila Moore
smoore@mmdhd.org
616-302-6503
