Important Ways To Protect Poultry Workers From Bird Flu Risks
September 5th, 2008

When a human becomes infected by the bird flu, it is often resulting from contact with virus-laden respiratory droplets that are expelled during coughing and sneezing. Influenza viruses range in size from 0.08 to 0.12 micrometers and are carried in respiratory discharges that can be small-particle aerosols (less than 10 micrometers in diameter).On a farm, or in other agricultural locations, animal manure that holds influenza virus’s can infect dust and soil. This in turn can cause infection if or when the polluted dust is inhaled. Contaminated farm equipment, feed, cages, or shoes can also harbor the virus from farm to farm. The virus can also be carried on the bodies and feet of animals, such as rodents. The virus can live in cool temperatures and in contaminated manure for a minimum of three months. In water, the virus can survive for up to four days at 72º F and more than 30 days at 32º F. Studies have shown that a single gram of contaminated manure can contain enough virus to infect 1 million birds in the highly pathogenic form of influenza A.

Poultry experts agree that the instant gathering of infected and exposed birds is the first line of protection for both human health and the decline of even more losses in the agricultural sector. However, the gathering must be done in a way that looks after workers and keeps them from exposure to avian influenza virus and reduces the chance of illness or gene swapping or mutation.

Human infection with the avian virus has been linked to exposure to infected poultry and their feces or dust infected with feces. The CDC and the World Heath Organization recommends that:

Anyone, who has been in close contact with a contaminated animal, surface, or after taking off gloves, should wash their hands. Hygiene of the hands should consist of washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or the utilization of another hand-disinfection procedure that has been as specified by state government, industry, or USDA outbreak-response guidelines should occur.

Workers occupied in the gathering, transporting, or disposal of avian influenza-infected poultry should be supplied with proper personal protective equipment such as:

· Protective clothing that is able to be disinfected or thrown away, if possible coveralls plus an waterproof apron or surgical gowns with long cuffed sleeves plus an waterproof apron;

· Gloves that are able to be disinfected or thrown away; gloves should be carefully removed and thrown out or disinfected and hands should be cleaned;

· Respirators: the minimum recommendation is a not reusable particulate respirator (e.g. N95, N99 or N100) used as part of a complete respiratory protection program. Workers should be fit tested for the model and size respirator they wear and be taught to fit-check for face piece to face seal;

· Goggles;

· Boots or protective foot covers that can be disinfected or thrown away.

Environmental clean up should be conducted in areas where the gathering is conducted using the same protective measures.

Workers who have not been vaccinated should get the most current influenza vaccine. This will help to decrease the chance of a dual infection with avian and human influenza viruses. An influenza antiviral drug should be given to workers each day for the period of time during which direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces occurs. The antiviral drug given should be based on sensitivity testing when possible. If sensitivity testing is not available, a neuramindase inhibitor (oseltamavir) is the first choice since the probability is smaller that the virus will be resilient to this class of antiviral drugs than to amantadine or rimantadine.

If there is a chance that a worker has been exposed, their health should be monitored. They should be watched for the development of fever, respiratory symptoms, and or conjunctivitis. This should go on for one week after the last contact with avian influenza-infected or exposed birds or to potentially avian influenza-contaminated environmental surfaces. If a person does become sick, they should receive medical care, making sure to tell their health care provider that they may have been exposed to avian influenza before heading in for treatment.

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