Amid bird flu outbreaks, CDC pushes for PPE use on dairy farms

Denver — After bird flu is detected on dairy farms, collaboration between public health agencies and the impacted farm – as well as early distribution of personal protective equipment – may help protect farmworkers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

According to the agency, workers on dairy farms face a transmission risk when exposed to cows infected with bird flu. They’re also at risk if exposed to raw milk from acutely infected cows during an outbreak.

To protect workers on dairy farms, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the state’s Department of Agriculture offered PPE to all farms in the state before and during reported outbreaks this year.

In addition, researchers from the CDPHE interviewed 83 workers at three dairy farms in Colorado with confirmed cases of bovine bird flu. The interviews took place a median of 48 days after infected cows were reported to CDPHE.

Survey results show that PPE use while working with infected cows increased a mean of 28% after detection of the A(H5N1) virus; use of eye protection while milking cows increased the most (40%).

Before an outbreak, the workers reported that the most available PPE items were gloves (88%), eye protection (76%), rubber boots or boot covers (71%), and head covers (69%). Only 26% of the workers said they used an N95 respirator.

CDC recommends that workers on dairy farms wear fluid-resistant coveralls, an optional waterproof apron, a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator, goggles, a head or hair cover, gloves, boots or boot covers, and an optional faceshield.

“Public health agencies should continue to conduct outreach to farms and educate farm owners about the importance of workers using PPE during farm duties and exposure to ill cows, as well as understanding and reporting signs of human illness during A(H5N1) herd outbreaks,” CDC says. “Collaboration with state agricultural partners can strengthen relationships and public health practice at dairy farms.

“As the A(H5N1) outbreak in dairy herds evolves, providing PPE to farms before outbreaks occur might help increase PPE use, especially during high-risk activities such as milking, and prevent human cases of A(H5N1).”

The study was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.