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Photos courtesy of U. S. Department of Agriculture |
Overview
Avian influenza (or bird flu) is a poultry disease caused
by viruses that normally infect birds. This disease is caused by a number
of type A influenza viruses.
Domestic poultry may be infected with one of two types of avian influenza
viruses:
- The highly pathogenic viruses spread quickly and may kill nearly
an entire poultry flock within 48 hours.
- The low pathogenic viruses cause
only mild symptoms in chickens (such as ruffled feathers or a drop in egg
production).
These avian influenza viruses usually do not infect humans. However, cases
have occurred in humans outside the United States. The disease can be
transmitted to poultry workers or others who contact infected poultry or
contaminated surfaces. Examples of workers at risk include the following:
- Poultry growers and their workers
- Service technicians of poultry processing companies
- Caretakers, layer barn workers, and chick workers at egg production
facilities
- Workers involved in disease control and eradication (including
Federal, contract, and company workers)
The first cases of human infection with the highly pathogenic avian influenza
virus H5N1 occurred in 1997 in Hong Kong. This virus probably originated
from domestic poultry in that region. The current outbreaks of the H5N1
virus began in Asia in 2003. The H5N1 virus was recently reported in
birds in Europe and Africa. This highly pathogenic virus has not been
reported in birds or humans in the United States.
Scientists are concerned about the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus for three
reasons:
- It threatens domestic poultry, especially
chickens, throughout the world.
- It has passed from poultry to humans and caused serious illness
and death.
- It may change into a form that is highly infectious in humans and
spreads easily from person to person.
The H5N1 virus is excreted in the droppings, saliva, and nasal secretions
of infected birds. The virus is believed to enter humans through the mouth,
nose, eyes, and lungs. Scientists believe that the virus has been transmitted
to humans from contact with one of the following:
- Infected poultry that was sick or dead
- Droppings of infected poultry
- Contaminated litter
- Contaminated surfaces such as egg collection containers
Although the human health risk of exposure to low pathogenic avian influenza
viruses is not known, protective measures should be taken for anyone likely
to have prolonged exposure to any avian influenza virus in an enclosed setting.
CDC Avian Influenza Resources
NIOSH Alert: Protecting Poultry Workers from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-128 (2008)
Provides guidance to employers and workers about protecting poultry workers from exposure to avian influenza viruses (May 2008).
En
Español
CDC Avian Influenza Home Page
Provides comprehensive information about avian influenza, including
recent outbreaks, the viruses, and the risk to human health. Provides links
to guidance for specific industries and workers.
En
Español
CDC/Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Rapid Response Training: The Role of Public Health in a Multi-Agency Response to Avian Influenza in the United States
Provides course materials to guide state and local health departments in identifying and controlling human infections and illness associated with high pathogenicity avian influenza. Includes personal protective equipment information and a poultry farm investigation exercise (2007).
External link: http://www.cste.org/influenza/avian.asp
CDC Interim Guidance for States Conducting Avian Mortality Surveillance for
West Nile Virus and/or Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus
Provides guidance directed to state health departments to support avian
mortality surveillance. Provides general precautions for collecting single
dead birds, additional precautions for higher-risk settings, and recommendations
for personal protective equipment disinfection and laboratory biosafety
(August 2006).
PDF pdf
file 3 pages 48KB
CDC Interim Recommendations for Persons with Possible Exposure to Avian Influenza
During Outbreaks Among Poultry in the United States
Describes the 2004 avian influenza outbreak in
Texas and provides interim guidance for persons who might be exposed to
avian influenza; health-care professionals; and consumers of poultry (February
2004).
En
Español
CDC Interim Guidance for Protection of Persons Involved in U.S. Avian Influenza
Outbreak Disease Control and Eradication Activities
Provides interim guidance for protection of persons involved in activities
to control and eradicate outbreaks of avian influenza among poultry in
the United States (January 2006).
En
Español
CDC
Webcast Symposium on Avian Influenza for State Health Departments and Poultry
Industry; Includes Worker Health and Safety Presentation
Provides transcripts and presentations on worker health and
safety, the public health impact of avian influenza, food safety issues,
and biosecurity on the farm by experts in public health and animal health
(November 2004).
CDC Interim Guidance for Airline Flight Crews and Persons Meeting
Passengers Arriving from Areas with Avian Influenza (Updated)
Informs airline flight crews and personnel meeting arriving passengers
about appropriate precautions in the event they must interact with a person suspected
of having avian influenza. Recommendations are based on standard infection
control practices used in healthcare settings and on available information
about the virus that causes avian influenza (March 2006).
En
Español
CDC Interim
Guidance for Airline Cleaning Crew, Maintenance Crew, and Baggage/Package
and Cargo Handlers for Airlines Returning from Areas Affected by Avian Influenza
A (H5N1)
Informs personnel who clean, maintain, or remove baggage or packages from commercial
and cargo airlines about appropriate precautions related to avian influenza A
(H5N1) (March 2006).
En
Español
CDC Interim Guidance for Cleaning Aircraft Exteriors after Collisions with Birds in Avian Influenza A (H5N1)-Affected Areas
Provides workers with cleaning recommendations if a bird strike has occurred
to an airplane taking off from, flying over, or landing in one of the
H5N1-affected countries (July 2006).
Other U.S. Avian Influenza Resources
OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin: Avian
Influenza: Protecting Poultry Workers at Risk
A product of the OSHA-NIOSH Issues Exchange Group that presents basic
information about avian influenza viruses and describes measures for protecting
and minimizing exposure of poultry workers to the virus (highlighted above).
External link: http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib121304.pdf
OSHA Guidance
for Protecting Workers Against Avian Flu
Provides updated guidance, quick cards, and a fact sheet about avian
influenza. Information is provided for poultry, laboratory, and health
care workers, animal handlers, food handlers, airport personnel, employees
working abroad, and other worker groups at risk.
External link: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html
Department of Health and Human Services: Avian and Pandemic Health and Safety Page
Provides access to
comprehensive U.S. government health and safety information about avian
and pandemic influenza including worker resources.
External link: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/health/
En
Español
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Avian Influenza Site
Provides news releases, fact sheets, and resources on avian influenza and
highly pathogenic avian influenza.
External link: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA&navtype=SU
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Directive: Ensuring the Protection of Employees Involved in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Control and Eradication Activities
Provides
guidance for poultry workers, wildlife biologists, and veterinary laboratory
workers (May 2006).
External link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/directives/pdf/APHIS6800_1.pdf
U.S. Department of Interior Employee Health and Safety Guidance for Avian Influenza Surveillance and Control in Wild Birds
Provides guidelines on personal protective equipment and work practices to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting avian influenza and other pathogenic agents when handling potentially infected wildlife (January 2007).
External link: http://www.doi.gov/issues/appendixOHSguidanceforAvian%20Influenza12-18.pdf
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Education Training Program (WETP) Avian Influenza Site
Provides resources for avian influenza outbreak responders and other workplace resources.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/index.cfm?current=538
NIEHS WETP Avian Responder Conference Site
Provides presentations and information about protecting avian influenza outbreak responders from the September 2007 NIEHS WETP conference.
External link: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/index.cfm?current=2346
U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), Avian
Influenza Site
Provides information about avian influenza in wild birds in the
United States and around the world.
External link: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp
USGS
NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletin 05-03: Safety Guidelines for Handling Wild
Birds
Provides guidance for field biologists and others working with or handling wild
birds with specific reference to highly pathogenic avian influenza (August 2005).
External link: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_05_03.jsp
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Document: Disposal of Domestic
Birds Infected by Avian Influenza: An Overview of Considerations and Options
Provides information about domestic bird carcass management options, equipment
cleaning and disinfection, transportation, and personal protective equipment.
Provides contact information for appropriate response organizations (August
2006).
External link: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/homeland/flu.pdf
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet: Antimicrobial Products to Disinfect Poultry and Other
Facilities Against Avian Flu
Provides information about disinfectant products registered for use against
avian influenza A viruses.
External link: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/avian.htm
En
Español
Delmarva Avian Influenza Joint Task Force, Interim Guidance for Implementation of CDC and OSHA Avian Influenza Recommendations
Provides interim guidance on worker training, infection control, use of personal
protective equipment, decontamination, vaccine and antiviral use, surveillance
for illness, and evaluation of persons who become ill.
External link: http://www.worcesterhealth.org/downloads/AvianInfluenzaInterimGuidanceVersion03.04.08.pdf
National
Chicken Council (NCC) Questions and Answers on Avian Influenza
Provides questions and answers on avian influenza from the
NCC, the national, non-profit trade association representing the U.S. chicken
industry.
External link: http://www.nationalchickencouncil.com/aboutIndustry/detail.cfm?id=21
Alaska Department of Fish and Game: What Hunters Should Know about Avian Influenza
Provides
preventive recommendations for hunters working with wild birds.
External link: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/news/avian_bulletin_9-30-05.pdf
U.S. Resources for Poultry Workers
OSHA Fact Sheet: Avian Flu
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AvianFlu/avian_flu_factsheet.pdf
OSHA Quick Card for Poultry Employees: Protecting Yourself from Avian Flu
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AvianFlu/poultry_employees.pdf
NIEHS WETP Booklet: Protecting Yourself from Avian Influenza
An awareness level health and safety resource for workers who might contact avian influenza-infected animals or contaminated materials.
External Link to Cover: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_get_blob.cfm?ID=4887
External Link to Booklet: http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_get_blob.cfm?ID=4888
USDA APHIS Biosecurity Site
Provides information about biosecurity practices for poultry, pet birds, and wild birds with tools such as fact sheets, booklets, brochures, and posters.
External link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/biosecurity/
Delmarva Avian Influenza Joint Task Force: Answers to Common Questions about
Avian Influenza for Poultry Growers
Provides information about biosecurity, infection control, and prevention
recommendations.
External link: http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/birdflu_trifold.pdf
University of Maryland: Understanding Avian Influenza
Provides farm and business resources including biosecurity recommendations
for specific groups of poultry workers such as vaccination crews, live-haul
crews, and technical service workers.
External link: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/HotTopics/AvianInfluenza.html
International Avian Influenza Resources
Disclaimer: These resources
are developed by government agencies whose safety and health practices
and recommendations may differ from those of the United States |
World
Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza Site
Provides international guidelines, recommendations, reports,
and updated information on the status and impact of avian influenza
activities and outbreaks around the world.
External link: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
En
Español
WHO
Avian Influenza Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Health Care Facilities
Provides comprehensive guidelines for health care facility exposures,
including personal protective equipment recommendations.
PDF
pdf file 58 pages 211KB
External link: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/infectioncontrol1/en/index.html
WHO Aide-Memoire (Memory Aid): Infection Control Recommendations for
Avian Influenza in Health Care Facilities
Provides
concise recommendations about infection control for avian influenza.
PDF pdf
file 2 pages 1.17MB
External link: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/EPR_AM_final1.pdf
WHO
Interim Guidelines for the Protection of Persons Involved in the Mass Slaughter
of Animals Potentially Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses
Provides guidelines for worker protection including appropriate personal protective
equipment.
PDF pdf
file 1 page 765KB
External link: http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/Avian
Influenza.pdf
WHO Guide for Field Operations: Collecting, Preserving and Shipping Specimens for the Diagnosis of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection
Provides worker safety information including recommendations for hand hygiene technique, respiratory protection, and disinfection (October 2006).
External link: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/surveillance/WHO_CDS_EPR_ARO_2006_1/en/index.html
World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE) Avian Influenza Site
Provides information about the global distribution of avian influenza
and methods of controlling the disease in animals.
External link: http://www.oie.int/eng/info/en_avinf.htm
En
Español
Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Avian Influenza
Site
Provides information about avian influenza related to improved food security,
food safety, and safe trade in poultry and poultry products. Provides information
in support of the efforts to control highly pathogenic avian influenza in Asian
countries.
External link: http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/subjects/en/health/diseases-cards/special_avian.html
En
Español
European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) Avian Influenza
Page
Provides scientific
and technical guidance on avian influenza including current guidelines on occupational
exposure.
External link: http://ecdc.europa.eu/Health_topics/Avian_Influenza/Guidance.html
ECDC Guidelines to Minimise the Risk of Humans Acquiring Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza From Exposure to Infected Birds or Animals
Provides guidance for protecting workers from avian influenza exposure (December
2005).
PDF pdf
file 11 pages 715KB
External link: http://ecdc.europa.eu/Health_topics/Avian_Influenza/pdf/Guidelines-human_exposure_HPAI.pdf
United
Kingdom Health
and Safety Executive (HSE): Working with Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza Virus
Provides
guidance for workers and answers questions related to occupational
exposure.
External link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/avianflu.htm
HSE Guidance Document: Avoiding the Risk of Zoonotic Infections
When Working with Poultry That is Not Suspected of Having Avian Influenza
Provides guidance for avoiding occupational infection with avian influenza
PDF pdf
file 2 pages 41.7KB
External link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/aiavoid.pdf
HSE Guidance Document: Avoiding the Risk of Zoonotic Infections
When Working with Poultry That is Suspected of Having Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza
Provides
guidance for avoiding infection when working with infected poultry.
PDF pdf
file 4 pages 92KB
External link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/aisuspected.pdf
International Resources for Poultry Workers
Disclaimer: These resources
are developed by government agencies whose safety and health practices
and recommendations may differ from those of the United States |
WHO Preventing Bird Flu: Precautions Poultry Farm Workers Should Take
External Link: http://searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Avian_Flu_tips_for_poultry_workers-final.pdf.
FAO Avian Influenza Farming Systems Documents
Provides guidance for the prevention and control of avian influenza in small scale poultry. Documents are available in many languages and written for different countries including Cambodia and Vietnam.
External Link: http://www.fao.org/avianflu/en/farmsysdocs.html
En
Español
FAO: Protect Poultry, Protect People: Basic Advice for Stopping
the Spread of Avian Flu
Provides
advice for workers and others to minimize animal-to-animal and animal-to-human
spread of disease.
PDF pdf
file 11 pages 70.3KB
External link: http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/207623/FAO_HPAI_messages.pdf
Academy for Educational Development Avian and Pandemic Influenza Behavior Change Communication Tools
Provides brochures, fact sheets, and posters for farmers in different countries.
External Link: http://avianflu.aed.org/approach.htm
Related NIOSH Publications and Presentations
Avian Influenza: Worker Health and Safety (Presentation)
Disclaimer: The findings
and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author
and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health |
PDF
only pdf file 22pages 211KB
NIOSH presentation at the North
Atlantic Poultry Health and Management Conference, Windsor Locks, Connecticut,
May 10, 2005. This presentation includes avian influenza information
about responder recommendations, medical guidance for poultry workers, and
guidance on personal protective equipment.
Histoplasmosis — Protecting
Workers at Risk
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-109 (2004)
This revised booklet provides updated information about worker exposure to
the disease-causing fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It provides information
about histoplasmosis, identifies activities that may put workers at risk, and
provides recommendations for disease prevention and protection of workers.
En
Español
NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic 2004
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-100 (2004)
This document provides guidance to respirator program administrators on
respirator selection. It incorporates the changes necessitated by the revisions
to the respirator use and certification regulations and changes in NIOSH
policy. This guidance is not intended to be used for the selection of respirators
to protect against infectious agents or chemical, biological, radiological
or nuclear agents of terrorism.
Interim Recommendations
for the Selection and Use of Protective Clothing and Respirators Against
Biological Agents
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-109 (2001)
This document contains recommendations for personal protective equipment used
in given exposure conditions based on current understanding at the time of publication.
Related NIOSH Safety and Health Topics
Aerosols
Topic Page
Provides links to information regarding the measurement, control, exposure
characterization and health effects associated with aerosols in the workplace.
Agriculture Topic Page
Provides links to publications on agricultural topics including ergonomics,
grain handling, injuries and deaths, machinery, and young workers. Provides
links to additional agricultural resources.
Eye Protection
for Infection Control
Provides information on types of eye protection for a variety of exposure settings
where workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases via ocular exposure.
Infectious Aerosols Topic Page
Provides links to resources to aid workers and employers in reducing exposures
to infectious aerosols.
Protective
Clothing Topic
Page
Provides information about protecting the skin from various
health hazards that may be encountered in the workplace or during a terrorist
attack.
Respirators
Topic Page
Provides information about respirators including selection,
cleaning and maintenance, certification, standards and rulemaking, user
notices, and other resources.
Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Provides a compilation of workplace resources about SARS.
Understanding
Respiratory Protection Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Provides information about personal protective equipment and techniques to
prevent exposure to SARS, and the spread of contaminated materials.
West Nile Virus Topic Page
Provides information about the West Nile virus, identifies workers
at risk, and provides recommendations for prevention of worker exposure.
Page last modified: September 5, 2008
Page last reviewed: June 5, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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