PUBLIC HEALTH CURRENT EVENTS

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Cattle

SYMPTOMS OF HPAI IN CATTLE:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Fact Sheet on "Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock For State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians and Producers." Go to this link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf

NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY NETWORK (NAHLN) DETECTIONS OF HPAI IN LIVESTOCK:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and State veterinary and public health officials are investigating cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cows.
APHIS is providing confirmatory testing for samples from livestock as well as guidance for producers, veterinarians, and State animal health officials. For more information on confirmatory testing, go to this link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock

WHAT IS H5N1?

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 is a strain of Influenza A that typically affects birds and poultry but that has been found in mammals on numerous occasions. As of April 30, 2024, H5N1 has been found in 34 herds of cattle in 9 states across the country. H5N1 viruses usually do not infect people; however, there have been two known and documented cases of human infection with H5N1, one in 2022 and one in 2024. Both humans recovered.

HOW CAN FSIS EMPLOYEES POTENTIALLY BE EXPOSED TO H5N1?

Human infections with avian influenza viruses can happen when virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth. We are still learning how H5N1 spreads and suspect this can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or possibly when a person touches something that has virus on it and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one infected person to another is very rare.

WHAT SAFETY PROCEDURES CAN BE USED BY FSIS EMPLOYEES TO PROTECT AGAINST EXPOSURE TO H5N1?

Inspection Program Personnel are to order, as normal, PPE from the Material Management Service Center (MMSC) to have available.
Documentation requirements for lactating dairy cattle moving to slaughter are outlined in APHIS Requirements and Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock for State Animal Health Officials, Accredited Veterinarians, and Producers.
When inspecting dairy cattle from affected herds, IPP should avoid as much as possible processes that can create particles in the air. Some situations that can produce particles in the air include cleaning or rinsing the kill floor with high pressure hoses and cutting carcasses with power saws or other power tools.
While performing ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection, FSIS recommends that IPP who are working with dairy cattle suspected of potential HPAI infection or from herds suspected to have been infected with HPAI, or associated materials that might carry the H5N1 virus wear the following PPE, per the latest CDC guidance.

When at potential risk for direct contact (e.g. touching animal, material, etc.) with infected animal or materials:
Outer layer of clothing that will be laundered, disinfected, or disposed of.
If splashes or wet environment, waterproof apron (available through MMSC).
Boots.
Hair net.
Disposable gloves (available through the MMSC).
When there is the potential risk for the infected animal or material to come in contact with the eyes or face (e.g. splashes, performing post-mortem inspection, etc.):
Face shield (available through the MMSC) that covers the nose and mouth from splashes.
When there is the potential risk of viral particles in the air (e.g. during ante-mortem inspection, etc.):
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)-approved particulate respirator (e.g., N95® filtering facepiece respirators are available and may be worn if desired, available through the MMSC).

N95 respirators are provided for voluntary use (OSHA Appendix D 1910.134). Employees who voluntarily wear N95® respirators are to first review and sign the Appendix D Acknowledgement for employees, which is for employees using respirators when not required to do so under the Respiratory Protection Standard. Employees are to email the signed Appendix D form to their supervisor and block, copy, and paste gladyouaskedsafety@usda.gov into the email as a cc:.

Before wearing an N95 respirator, please review the CDC's instructions and fact sheet. You can also learn about donning and doffing with seal checks through this YouTube video.

or,
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Level 3 face mask (available through the MMSC).
IPP can view the PPE for HPAI (eAuth access with PIV required) that can be ordered through the MMSC. To order protective equipment, place orders through the customer portal. If you do not have an account or experience difficulties with the portal, orders can be sent directly to cfpdc@usda.gov. Please include your customer ID number (if you have one), full mailing address, telephone number and name and ID number for your order, and quantity of each item.
IPP are to keep all open wounds (cuts and scratches) covered with water-proof bandages.
IPP are to discard disposable gloves after each use.
Before returning to the USDA office, remove PPE following the CDC guidance sequence, and dispose of PPE immediately thereafter. IPP are to ensure knives and scabbards are cleaned according to guidelines.
Ensure PPE is immediately laundered, disposed of, or disinfected with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved disinfectant (available through the MMSC) for hard, non-porous surfaces.
- For laundry, leave it onsite to be laundered if possible. Soiled laundry should be handled with gloves and washed at the highest temperature.
- For reusable PPE, clean until dirt is removed, follow manufacturer/label directions for safe use of disinfectants. Disinfect reusable PPE according to the disinfectant and PPE manufacturer’s instructions. Perform hand hygiene afterwards.
Hand hygiene is a foundational component of infection prevention and control. As always, IPP should practice good hand hygiene by thoroughly washing their hands before and after work, breaks, and eating; contact with livestock, raw meat or poultry products; and putting on or taking off PPE. IPP should avoid rubbing and touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against infection with H5N1 but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time.
Employees who have concerns about their health or symptoms that they may be exhibiting are encouraged to present the FSIS medical alert card and seek advice promptly from their health care provider. FSIS medical alert cards can be ordered from the MMSC or downloaded from IPP Help. Persons who develop any illness symptoms after exposure to HPAI A(H5N1) virus infected birds or other animals should seek prompt medical evaluation for possible influenza testing and antiviral treatment by their clinician or public health department. Since this is a new virus in humans, it is important that individuals who report to a clinician or local public health department share that they suspect they may have been exposed to H5N1, so the healthcare worker knows what to look for and tests the individual for Influenza A.
Self-monitor for symptoms of illness every day while you are working with sick or potentially infected animals or animals known to be infected with novel influenza A viruses for 10 days after the last day of exposure to infected or potentially infected animals or contaminated materials. If you become sick during those 10 days, isolate yourself, tell your supervisor, and get instructions for seeking medical evaluation and treatment.
Instructions for employees who become injured or ill due to a workplace exposure and wish to file a workers’ compensation claim are set forth in Directive 4810.1. Employees can contact the Office of Human Resources Workers’ Compensation Group (WCG) by emailing askworkerscomp@fsis.usda.gov. Supervisors are to maintain access to forms CA-2. Form CA-16 is available by email to askworkerscomp@usda.gov. Form CA-16 may be requested by email at askworkerscomp@usda.gov.

WHAT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) STANDARDS APPLY TO H5N1?

There is no specific OSHA standard covering avian influenza viruses. However, the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1) requires a workplace free from recognized hazards. Controlling exposure to zoonotic agents through the use of PPE is regulated under OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I – Personal Protective Equipment. Read more about control and prevention from OSHA.