Protecting Poultry Workers from Exposure to Avian Influenza Viruses

• Published in: Public health reports (1974) 2008-05, Vol.123 (3), p.316-322
• Main Authors: MacMahon, Kathleen L., Delaney, Lisa J., Kullman, Greg, Gibbins, John D., Decker, John, Kiefer, Max J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural Workers' Diseases - epidemiology; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - prevention & control; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - virology; Animal diseases; Animal Husbandry - education; Animal Husbandry - methods; Animals; Avian flu; Avian influenza; Biological and medical sciences; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Communicable Disease Control - methods; Communicable diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - prevention & control; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - veterinary; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - virology; Disease outbreaks; Disease prevention; Farmworkers; Food industry; Food-Processing Industry - education; Food-Processing Industry - methods; Guidelines as Topic; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Influenza A virus; Influenza A virus - classification; Influenza A virus - pathogenicity; Influenza in Birds - epidemiology; Influenza in Birds - prevention & control; Influenza in Birds - virology; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Influenza, Human - virology; International Cooperation; Labor; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Occupational Exposure - prevention & control; Occupational medicine; Poultry; PRACTICE; Preventive medicine; Protective Clothing; Protective Devices; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Recommendations; Risk Assessment; United States - epidemiology; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases; Viruses; Wild birds; Zoonoses; Zoonoses - epidemiology; Zoonoses - virology
• ISSN: 0033-3549; 1468-2877
• DOI: 10.1177/003335490812300311

Emerging zoonotic diseases are of increasing regional and global importance. Preventing occupational exposure to zoonotic diseases protects workers as well as their families, communities, and the public health. Workers can be protected from zoonotic diseases most effectively by preventing and controlling diseases in animals, reducing workplace exposures, and educating workers. Certain avian influenza viruses are potential zoonotic disease agents that may be transmitted from infected birds to humans. Poultry workers are at risk of becoming infected with these viruses if they are exposed to infected birds or virus-contaminated materials or environments. Critical components of worker protection include educating employers and training poultry workers about occupational exposure to avian influenza viruses. Other recommendations for protecting poultry workers include the use of good hygiene and work practices, personal protective clothing and equipment, vaccination for seasonal influenza viruses, antiviral medication, and medical surveillance. Current recommendations for protecting poultry workers from exposure to avian influenza viruses are summarized in this article.