Protect Yourself From H5N1 When
Working With Farm Animals [2 MB, 1 page]
#18,359
On the heels of yesterday's report from Merced County, California's Department of Public Health (CDPH) has announced a 15th human H5 detection, curiously with no details on the cases, their exposures, or their symptoms.
Instead, they provide expanded background information on HPAI infections in general.
While I assume the increasing vagueness of these reports is somehow meant to be reassuring, it does little to diminish the growing credibility problems of state, local, and even federal officials who are dealing with this outbreak.
Updated October 23, 2024
- The current risk to the public remains low.
- No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California.
- People rarely get bird flu, but those who interact with infected dairy cows, poultry, or wildlife have a greater risk of infection.
- Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization inactivates the bird flu virus.
California's Response
- CDPH is working with local, state and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows.
- California has distributed protective gear to dairy farms and workers. People who work with infected dairy cows or raw milk should use protective gear to reduce the risk of getting bird flu.
- Public health leaders are helping ensure individuals with symptoms of bird flu have access to testing and treatment, if needed.
- California has received 5,000 additional seasonal flu vaccines for people who work with dairy cows in the Central Valley. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against serious illness from seasonal flu and may reduce the chance of human and bird flu viruses mixing and becoming more dangerous.
What is Bird Flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza A (H5N1) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by a virus that can cause serious illness and death in birds and mammals. Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare, but they can happen when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, mouth, or when inhaled.
What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
- Eye redness or discharge.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Headaches.
- Fatigue.
- Trouble breathing.
- Fever (100°F or higher).
- Pneumonia.
- Seizures.
Symptoms can be serious and lead to death.
Who is at higher risk of getting bird flu?
You are at higher risk if you work with or are around poultry, dairy cows, alpacas, wildlife or raw (unpasteurized) milk. This includes any contact with animal fluids, feces, or feathers.
Examples of those at higher risk include:
Farmworkers who:
- Work with dairy cows
- Work with poultry
- Handle raw dairy products
- Work in slaughterhouses
Wildlife Workers
- Wildlife rehabilitation center staff and volunteers
- Veterinary clinic staff
- Pest management and animal removal personnel
- Animal control officers and shelter staffZoo staff and volunteers
How do I avoid getting bird flu?
You can protect yourself from bird flu by:
- Using the following personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling animals that could be infected with bird flu:
- Goggles or face shield
- NIOSH® approved respirator
- Gloves
- Coveralls
- Head cover
- Boots
- Working outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor environments.
- Washing your hands after contact with animals or their environments and before taking breaks or eating/drinking.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wearing dedicated work clothing and footwear and washing them to keep on-site if possible.
- Changing clothes and footwear and showering after work.
What if I get bird flu?
- Tell your employer right away.
- Contact your local public health department right away to arrange for testing and treatment. Tell them you may have been exposed to bird flu.
- Avoid or reduce contact with others until symptoms resolve.
Reduce the spread:
- Consider wearing a mask to protect other people: Consider wearing a high-quality mask (N95, KN95, KF94) especially if you're sick and in crowded or indoor areas.
- Wash your hands: Wash hands throughout the day with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your cough or sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your elbow, arm, or a disposable tissue. Make sure to throw away your tissue, then wash or sanitize your hands.
