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Avian Flu ("Bird Flu")
Avian Flu ("Bird Flu")
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Staying safe when HPAI (Bird Flu) is a risk: 

Recommendations for Protecting Farmers and Poultry, Backyard Bird Flock, and Livestock Owners:

    • Avoid Unprotected Contact: Avoid direct or close contact with potentially infected animals and contaminated materials.
    • Use PPE: Wear appropriate PPE when handling sick animals, carcasses, feces, litter, raw milk, and contaminated surfaces. This includes wearing safety goggles, gloves, respirators, coveralls, and head covers.
    • Training and Compliance: Ensure proper training on PPE usage and compliance with OSHA regulations. Employers should provide signage and instructions on proper PPE usage and maintenance.

    Learn Preventative Actions

    HOW IT SPREADS:

    This virus could spread from animals to people in several ways:

    • If you touch something contaminated with the virus and touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
    • If a liquid contaminated with 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 barn cats or other animals infected with the virus
    Symptoms can include:
    • Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
    • Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
    • Pneumonia requiring hospitalization
    • 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

    Less common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.

    *Fever may not always be present

    Prevention steps and strategies

     When you are not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), avoid direct or close physical contact with:

    • Any animals that are or might be sick, including birds, dairy cows, and other livestock
    • Any animals that have died, including birds and livestock
    • Viscera 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

    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. 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.

    More Information on Avian Influenza | Washington State Department of Health

     

    Updated 10/21/2024

Avian Flu: Understanding and Prevention

What is Avian Flu?

Avian Influenza, commonly known as Avian Flu or bird flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans and other animals. It is caused by influenza type A viruses, which occur naturally among wild aquatic birds and can spread to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species (such as cows and cats).

Symptoms in Humans

While Avian Flu viruses do not usually infect humans, certain strains, such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused serious illness in people. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:

    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Sore throat
    • Muscle aches
    • Eye infections
    • Severe respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia

How is it Spread?

Avian Flu is primarily spread through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated environments. It can also be transmitted through:

    • Contact with surfaces contaminated by the virus
    • Handling infected poultry or consumption of undercooked poultry products
    • Exposure to infected bird droppings or secretions from their eyes, mouth, or nose

 

Recent Updates:

On July 19, 2024, the CDC provided an update on its response to the multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," affecting dairy cows and other animals in the United States. Key findings from a Michigan-led study indicated no evidence of asymptomatic infections among farmworkers exposed to infected dairy cows. Additionally, CDC's analysis of the genetic sequence from an infected Colorado poultry farm worker showed no changes associated with antiviral resistance.

The CDC confirmed two additional cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) in Colorado poultry farm workers, bringing the total to six cases from a recent poultry outbreak. All infected workers experienced mild symptoms. The CDC continues to assess the human health risk as low but emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and preventive measures.

 

Prevention Recommendations for the Public:

    • Avoid Unprotected Exposure: Avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals (wild birds, poultry, domesticated animals) and their feces or contaminated materials.
    • Wear PPE: Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when in close contact with sick or dead animals or contaminated materials. PPE includes safety goggles, disposable gloves, boots, N95 respirators, fluid-resistant coveralls, and head covers.
    • Cook Thoroughly: Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to safe internal temperatures to kill bacteria and viruses. Use pasteurized milk and dairy products to avoid contamination.
    • Monitor Health: Monitor for respiratory illness symptoms for 10 days after exposure to infected animals. Seek medical evaluation if symptoms develop and isolate from others until HPAI A(H5N1) infection is ruled out.

Recommendations for Protecting Farmers and Poultry, Backyard Bird Flock, and Livestock Owners:

    • Avoid Unprotected Contact: Avoid direct or close contact with potentially infected animals and contaminated materials.
    • Use PPE: Wear appropriate PPE when handling sick animals, carcasses, feces, litter, raw milk, and contaminated surfaces. This includes wearing safety goggles, gloves, respirators, coveralls, and head covers.
    • Training and Compliance: Ensure proper training on PPE usage and compliance with OSHA regulations. Employers should provide signage and instructions on proper PPE usage and maintenance.

 

Treatment

Treatment for Avian Flu in humans may include antiviral medications, which are most effective when administered early. Hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases, and supportive care can help manage symptoms.

Stay Informed

For the latest updates and information on Avian Flu, consult trusted sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Avian Influenza | Washington State Department of Agriculture and the USDA Avian Flu Biosecurity Checklist.