Abstract
Keywords
H5N1 is a highly infectious influenza virus that can result in death. The virus, also called Bird Flu or avian influenza, is most known to infect poultry but has been found in mammals such as pigs, cows, dogs, cats, goats, and humans (World Health Organization, 2024). Symptoms can seem like the common flu, including cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, and sometimes shortness of breath (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2024). Due to this virus’s virulence, it can spread via contact with an infected subject, either alive or dead. Since the 1990s, there have been almost 1,000 human cases of H5N1, with a mortality rate of 52% (Garg et al., 2024). Since March 2024, H5N1 has been detected on multiple animal farms. The concern is that as the virus spreads, it could mutate into a more harmful form to humans, posing a risk of creating another pandemic (University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2024).
In America, farmers account for 10.4% of the workforce (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2024). Farmers risk contracting H5N1 as they are exposed daily to potentially infected animals. Positive testing has confirmed H5N1 infection on dairy farms in 9 states across 52 herds (Sah et al., 2024). Although it is more difficult for the virus to infect humans, there have been two reported cases of farmers in 2024. In one of the cases, symptoms associated with human infection of H5N1 presented as an eye infection and were diagnosed through a positive throat swab and unpasteurized milk sample (Sah et al., 2024). The disease was thought to be caused by contaminated milk exposure to the eye, mouth, or nose. The current concern is that farm pigs may become infected, as pig anatomy is more closely related to humans. This will exponentially increase the risk of infection to farmers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (2024) guidelines depict efforts to address the H5N1 outbreak, including education on how to don personal protective equipment and contact a local health department if exposed to the virus. The USDA’s (2024) article highlights the aid provided to farmers for veterinarian bills, loss of income, and testing prices. Food and Drug Administration’s continued updates on the effectiveness of the milk pasteurization system provide consumers with education and reassurance of safety.
Occupational health nurses and other health professionals must be aware of this emerging issue. In addition, many farms utilize migrant employees who do not have access to health care or may be unable to afford to take time off to care for themselves or their children. These factors may influence farmers not to report their symptoms. Farmers must be provided with clear communication and education about risks and expectations. Also, relationships between occupational health providers and farmers should be established as these alliances are crucial to prevent another pandemic (Santhanam, 2024).
The following links are provided for further information:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/avianflu/farm-workers-h5n1-print.pdf
