Information for Workers Exposed to H5N1 Bird Flu

This H5N1 bird flu virus has been found at high levels in the milk of infected dairy cows. It has also been found in the lungs, muscle, and udder tissue of infected dairy cows. This virus has been spreading among dairy cows in multiple U.S. states and has also been found in poultry flocks. It is widespread in wild birds and has been found in some mammals, including cats. Symptoms in animals vary, with high death rates in poultry but often mild symptoms in cows, including coughing, sneezing, runny eyes or nose, or lack of appetite.

Although H5N1 bird flu usually does not infect people, there have been some infrequent cases of human infection. Confirmed cases detected in the United States to date have all been mild. However, symptoms in people can range from no or mild to severe, including death. If you work with animals or materials that could be infected or contaminated with H5N1 bird flu, you can take steps to reduce your risk of getting sick. Consult your supervisor or your employer's health and safety committee to determine how best to apply these recommendations.