If a bird is suspected or confirmed to have highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection, is the staff that handled the bird at risk?
Top A: Potentially, depending on the extent of contact. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when examining animals suspected to have H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Local, state, and federal public health authorities should be notified if avian influenza infection is suspected. The US government has developed policy regarding personal protective equipment that must be worn and additional safeguards that must be adopted by ‘first responders’ to H5N1 HPAI within poultry flocks. For information on recommended personal protective equipment, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Web site.
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