Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Avian influenza is divided into two groups based upon the severity of the disease they 

produce in poultry: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses and highly pathogenic 

avian influenza (HPAI) viruses. LPAI generally cause minor illness, while HPAI viruses are 

highly contagious and cause high mortality in poultry. Avian influenza viruses do not 

typically infect humans, however, infrequent human infections with avian influenza have 

occurred. To date, H5N1 viruses have been found in U.S. commercial poultry, backyard 

poultry, and hobbyist bird flocks across multiple U.S. states. This document provides 

interim recommendations for protecting employees who may be exposed due to an 

outbreak of HPAI in the United States.

Background

Although avian influenza viruses have the potential 

to develop into pandemic viruses if they acquire 

the ability to pass readily from person-to-person, 

to date, there is no evidence of sustained (ongoing) 

spread among people. For the most up-to-date 

information on avian influenza, consult the Center 

for Disease Control and Prevention’s Avian Flu 

information page: www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu. 

Symptoms of Avian Flu in Humans

Symptoms in humans can range from 

asymptomatic or mild illness (e.g., eye redness 

or mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms) 

to severe illness (e.g., pneumonia) requiring 

hospitalization. Signs and symptoms may include 

fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, 

muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and 

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Less 

common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, 

vomiting, or seizures. Fever does not always 

occur in humans infected with avian influenza.

How People Become Infected

Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans 

are the result of direct contact with infected 

poultry (e.g., domesticated chickens, ducks, and 

turkeys) or contact with surfaces contaminated 

with saliva, mucus, or feces from infected poultry. 

Direct exposure happens when virus particles in 

aerosolized droplets or dust are inhaled or contact 

a person’s mucous membranes, such as their eyes, 

nose, or mouth. Exposure can also occur when a 

person touches a contaminated surface, object, or 

material and then touches the mouth, nose, or eyes. 

Employees at Potential Risk of Exposure

• Poultry workers, including workers involved 

in eradication activities (e.g., depopulating 

poultry and disposal)

• Animal handlers other than poultry workers 

(e.g., animal control, zookeepers, veterinarians)

• Laboratory employees who handle 

influenza viruses

• Healthcare workers treating patients with 

known or suspected avian influenza viruses

Recommendations for Employees at 

Risk of Exposure

• Avoid unprotected contact with poultry and other 

birds suspected or known to be infected, as well 

as any of the following associated with infected 

birds: poultry carcasses, 

poultry feces or litter, and 

surfaces and water that 

might be contaminated 

with poultry excretions.

• Use proper hand 

hygiene practices. Clean 

your hands often and 

thoroughly, using soap 

and water for 15-20 

seconds (or a water-less, alcohol-based hand 

rub when soap is not available), especially if 

you are handling infected birds, poultry, or 

poultry products.

• Get the seasonal flu vaccine. While it cannot 

protect against avian flu, it can help prevent 

being infected with both seasonal and avian 

flu at the same time.

• If you are sick, stay at home except to get 

medical attention.

FactSheet

Poultry eradication workers wearing 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Photo: iStock
• Contact your state or local health department 

for additional guidance, especially if you begin 

having symptoms after potential exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

for Employees in Direct Contact with 

Potentially Infected Birds:

• Disposable gloves, disposable protective shoe 

covers or boots, disposable head cover or hair 

cover, and if needed beard cover 

• Protective clothing (e.g., long-sleeved 

coveralls with waterproof aprons that can be 

cleaned and disinfected or disposed of)

• Properly-fitted unvented or indirectly vented 

safety goggles

• NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirators 

with a particulate filter that is rated N95 

or higher. Employers must comply with 

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard 

(29 CFR 1910.134) which requires, in addition 

to the provision and use of appropriate 

respiratory protection, a written respiratory 

protection program, medical evaluations, fit 

testing, and training.

Workers should put on and take off PPE in a 

separate clean area. Workers must receive 

training on PPE as outlined in 29 CFR 1910 

Subpart I (Personal Protective Equipment). For 

additional information see CDC Recommendations 

for Worker Protection and use of PPE to Reduce 

Exposure to Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated 

with Severe Disease in Humans. 

If You Believe That You Have Been 

Exposed to Avian Influenza:

• Tell your employer

• Monitor your health for 10 days

• Consult a health care provider and your state 

or local public health department about what 

steps to take if you become ill with fever or 

develop a cough or difficulty breathing

• Do not travel while sick, and limit contact with 

others as much as possible to help prevent 

the spread 

Training

Workers with potential for exposure should 

receive training on proper PPE, hazards 

associated with exposure to avian influenza, and 

procedures in place in their facility to isolate and 

report cases to reduce exposures.

Additional Information

More information on avian influenza can be 

found on OSHA’s Avian flu webpage.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of 

serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a language 

and vocabulary the worker understands) about 

workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, and 

the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their 

workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard 

or that their employer is not following OSHA’s 

rules. OSHA will keep all identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers 

page (www.osha.gov/workers).

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health 

Act of 1970, employers are responsible for 

providing safe and healthful workplaces for 

their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these 

conditions for America’s workers by setting and 

enforcing standards, and providing training, 

education and assistance. For more information, 

visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

DTSEM FS-4189 09/2022

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. 

It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance 

requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 

This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone 

is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.