Protecting Farm Workers: CDC Recommends PPE Distribution for Avian Influenza

During a meeting led by CDC Principal Deputy Director Nirav D. Shah, health officials, public health emergency preparedness directors, state epidemiologists, state public health veterinarians, and representatives from public health partner organizations gathered to discuss farmworker protection and the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) for avian influenza.

CDC emphasized the importance of making PPE readily available to workers on dairy farms, poultry farms, and in slaughterhouses. They recommended that state health departments collaborate with state agriculture departments and community partners, such as farmworker organizations, to facilitate the distribution of PPE. Shah advised prioritizing distribution to farms where avian flu infections have been confirmed, noting that some states have already begun distributing PPE to dairy farms. States were encouraged to utilize existing PPE stockpiles and instructed on how to request additional PPE from HHS/ASPR’s strategic national stockpile if necessary.

While CDC assesses the immediate risk of avian influenza to the U.S. public as low, Shah stressed the importance of states taking action to protect workers with potential exposure who may be at higher risk of infection. CDC has been actively engaged with state and local health departments, farmworker organizations, and public health veterinarians since initial reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle herds. Information is also being shared with staff at Federally Qualified Health Centers to ensure they are aware of the importance of PPE and how to access it.

Shah reaffirmed CDC’s commitment to assisting state health officials in their public health response to the outbreak. CDC continues to offer real-time support and deploy staff within 24 hours if requested by state and local health departments. They will continue to provide states with the most up-to-date situational information and guidance to aid in their public health response efforts.