HPAI (H5N1) in Cattle - Producer Resources

People who have contact with farm animals are more likely than the general public to be exposed to various pathogens (germs) that can cause illness. The best way to protect yourself from getting sick from these pathogens is to practice good habits, including frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your face, and to wear appropriate PPE, which stands for personal protective equipment.

Due to a new disease outbreak of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) H5N1 among dairy cattle, increased and consistently used PPE is recommended. Poultry have been and are still becoming infected with H5N1. H5N1 is a virus that can cause a disease known as avian influenza or “bird flu.” Although it is rare, people can get sick with bird flu when they come into contact with infected birds or other animals, their body fluids including milk or feces, or contact with their environments.

We know you’re invested in keeping people and animals on your farm healthy and safe, and PPE can help you do that. In general, wearing coveralls, boots that can be disinfected, gloves, and eye protection can help protect workers from splashes and sprays on a farm. Use more than your usual PPE if there are cows, birds, or other animals sick with signs of H5N1 or if H5N1 has been confirmed. The following PPE is recommended: disposable gloves, safety goggles, NIOSH-approved respirator (an N95 mask), disposable head/hair cover, disposable fluid-resistant coveralls, and rubber boots. Face shields can also be used when liquids, such as milk, might splash onto a mask.

Washington state has PPE in stock and can make it available to your facility upon request. Currently, available PPE includes disposable gloves, face masks, and eye protection including safety goggles, safety glasses, and face shields. This is a one-time provision of PPE. Should you have sick animals or a detection of H5N1 on your farm, this may serve as a stopgap until you can order more and in an ongoing way.

PPE is available on request for commerical:

• Dairy producers
• Poultry producers
• Milk processing facilities
• Slaughterhouses

Current available PPE includes:

• Disposable gloves
• Face masks
• Eye protection - safety goggles, safety glasses, and face shields

PPE items not currently available that an employer would need to provide include: fluid-resistant coveralls, head cover or hair cover, and boot covers or boots that can be disinfected. Additional outer work gloves to protect disposable gloves may also be needed depending on the type of exposure or work activities. 
 

Complete the online order form at:

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/26dad30fbcae471389b144ab6123ee4c.
The state will fill the order and cover shipping. The amount of PPE that is sent will be calculated based on the number of employees and farm personnel (veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants, etc.) that are entered into the online order form. 

Federal agencies confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) in several dairy herds across the United States. As part of its ongoing efforts to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by HPAI (H5N1) in dairy cattle, USDA announced a Federal Order requiring mandatory testing prior to the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle and mandatory reporting of positive influenza A test results in livestock.

To help producers enhance their biosecurity practices, USDA is offering additional support for producers who have HPAI confirmed positive dairy herds so they have tools to eliminate the virus and can protect their animals, themselves, their families, and their employees. Dairy producers with premises that have been confirmed positive for HPAI are eligible for USDA support to conduct activities that best fit their operations. Support for these interventions is available for a period of up to 120 days from the date of confirmation of H5N1 in cattle on the affected premises. Interested producers can learn more about enrollment into this program.

​The Washington State Veterinarian’s office is working closely with livestock veterinarians and leaders in the dairy and beef industries to monitor the national detections of HPAI (H5N1) in dairy herds. The Washington State Veterinarian’s office requires permits and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for all animals moved into the state. Veterinarians are tracking all cattle imported from affected states. WSDA is ready to respond to any reports of HPAI in poultry, cattle, or other livestock in Washington.

As of this date, there are no confirmed cases of HPAI (H5N1) in domestic livestock in Washington state.

The following infographic illustrates Washington’s response to a suspected and confirmed detection of HPAI (H5N1) in dairy herds within our state.
Click image to enlarge.

The current strain of avian influenza circulating in the United States poses a low risk to the general public’s health, but people with work or recreational exposures to HPAI-infected animals may be at increased risk of infection and should follow recommended precautions. Washington Department of Health is closely monitoring the situation and working with local health jurisdictions to conduct symptom monitoring of people exposed to infected birds or mammals to ensure prompt detection and response to any suspected human cases of illness.

Public health guidance for farm workers:

• Avian Flu Guidance for Farm Workers  (English) (Español)

Additional resources:

• USDA-APHIS: HPAI Dairy Herd Status Program overview
• USDA: Support for Dairy Herd Producers (overview)
• USDA: Support Options for Dairy Herd Producers (includes additional info/cost limits)
• USDA-APHIS: Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock
• USFDA: Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks
• WSU: HPAI in Dairy Cattle and Testing Resources
• WSDA: Letter to Producers/Licensees
• WSDA: Letter regarding Bovine HPAI H5N1 response in Washington
• WSDA: Dairy Cattle Change of Ownership Flow Chart ​