OSHA Issues Hazard Alert, Updated Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza

OSHA has issued a new hazard alert (PDF) and revised its fact sheet (PDF) on H5N1, also known as avian influenza or bird flu. The hazard alert addresses avian influenza infections in dairy cattle, first reported in March 2024. Although H5N1 infections have been reported in wild mammals since 2015, mostly in species that prey on or scavenge birds for food, the infections in March were the first reported cases of H5N1 causing disease in cattle. A small number of workers exposed to H5N1-infected animals have also become infected themselves, but there is currently no evidence for person-to-person H5N1 transmission.

The hazard alert provides background information on avian influenza and tips for identifying and limiting worker exposures. Workers who handle sick or dead animals and potentially contaminated material, such as feces, water and surfaces on farms, and raw milk, are at greatest risk for H5N1 infection, the hazard alert explains. Employers of farm workers who handle livestock, veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers should take steps to prevent worker exposures and limit risk of infection, such as through training and use of personal protective equipment. Recommended PPE for workers performing high-risk tasks or when entering facilities not yet disinfected where animals have been sick or died includes NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece or elastomeric half-mask respirators with N95 or greater filters.

OSHA’s avian influenza fact sheet provides additional information on limiting risks of exposure, as well as on recognizing symptoms of avian influenza in humans, wearing PPE in hot environments, and procedures for workers who believe they have been exposed to H5N1. The fact sheet has been updated to refer to H5N1 infections in dairy cattle and risks to workers in dairy or meat processing facilities.

PDFs of the avian influenza documents may be downloaded from OSHA’s hazard alert and fact sheet libraries.