Poultry Industry Workers

Know the warning signs in poultry and alert your supervisor immediately if you suspect avian influenza

• Lack of energy and appetite
• Decreased egg production or soft/misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids and comb
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
• Stumbling, falling down, diarrhea
• Sudden death

Protect yourself

Protect yourself from Avian Influenza (OSHA)

OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees from Avian Flu (Avian Influenza) Viruses

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Know and follow the biosecurity protocols at your business.

PPE: Personal Protection Equipment

All people working in infected poultry houses will need to wear full personal protective equipment to protect them from the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control says that avian influenza poses a low risk in humans. However, working directly with poultry increases your risk of exposure to the virus. Therefore, full personal protective equipment will required of all workers on infected farms. This will protect you from being exposed to the influenza virus as well as any disinfectents that you may have to work with.

Full gear includes:

• Tyvek
• Full face or N95 respirator
• Gloves
• Boots
• Goggles

The CDC recommends that anyone exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza monitor themselves for illness for 10 days after the last known exposure. The presence of fever and respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing) should be assessed daily during this period. The N.C. Department of Public Health and your local health department will contact all workers at infected farms to assess their risk, help monitor for symptoms and recommend medication if necessary.

OSHA Fact Sheet for poultry workers working with HPAI (pdfs)
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