December 1, 2006—The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled new safety and health guidance that alerts employees and employers about the hazards of occupational exposure to avian influenza from infected birds, or “avian flu,” and provides practical recommendations on ways to avoid infection.
“OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees from Avian Flu Viruses” and other resources on the topic are available in English and Spanish on OSHA’s Avian Flu site.
The new document updates guidance on avian flu issued by OSHA in 2004. The update provides separate recommendations for poultry employees and those who handle other animals, and for laboratory employees, healthcare personnel, food handlers, travelers, and US employees stationed abroad.
The primary focus of the guidance is on good hygiene, including use of gloves and hand washing, as well as respiratory protection for those who work with infected animals or individuals.
The guidance also includes links to helpful Web sites with additional information, and a list of technical articles and resources, including a history on flu pandemics, symptoms and outcomes of various strains of the avian flu, and details on the transmission of the virus and whether it could possibly become a pandemic flu.
For more information on federal activities on avian flu and pandemic flu, visit online.
