Pandemic and Avian Influenza

What is pandemic influenza?

An influenza pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears or “emerges” in the human population, causes serious illness, and then spreads easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemics are different from seasonal outbreaks or “epidemics” of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that already circulate among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by subtypes that have never circulated among people, or by subtypes that have not circulated among people for a long time.

Is avian influenza the same as pandemic influenza?

No, Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Why the concern about avian influenza?

Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported outside of the United States. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.

May avian influenza become the next pandemic influenza?

Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person to person has been rare and has not continued beyond one person. Nonetheless, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that H5N1 virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin.

No one can predict when a pandemic might occur. However, experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 situation in Asia and Europe very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.

Regulation & Policy

• Does WISHA have any regulations addressing pandemic and avian influenza?

  WISHA does not have a standard or regulation specifically addressing Avian Influenza. However, under WISHA’s Employer Responsibilities: Safe Workplace, WAC 296-800-110, Employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. In addition, employers must comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards, e.g., the Respirators or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards. Employers can be cited for violating the Safe Workplace Standard if there is a recognized hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard.

• What type of work settings would WISHA expect employers to have programs in place to protect employees from Avian or Pandemic Influenza?

  Employers who have employees whose specific job duties put them at risk of exposure should have programs in place that are consistent with guidelines published by authorative bodies such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or industry leadership groups. Employees who may have exposure through the performance of their assigned job duties include poultry workers, health care workers and laboratory workers who work with influenza virus.

What can businesses do to prepare for a pandemic of flu?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources and the Centers for Disease Control have developed guidelines to help businesses plan for a pandemic outbreak.

Resources

• Aside from WISHA workplace protections what other agencies have responsibility for Avian and Pandemic Influenza response?

  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has primary responsibility for surveillance in domestic poultry and managing outbreaks. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) would work in conjunction with WSDA to control an avian influenza outbreak. In addition, DOH would conduct surveillance and have primary responsibility for the control and prevention of human disease.

  • WSDA avian influenza web page.
  • DOH pandemic influenza web page.
  • US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Basic Information About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu).
  • Avian influenza protecting poultry workers at risk.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Avian influenza guidance.
  • Avian influenza resources for health care professionals.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pandemic influenza plan.
  • AFSCME Health & Safety Factsheet – Pandemic Influenza.
  • NIOSH Safety & Health Topic - Avian Influenza: Protecting Workers from Exposure.
  • The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic and avian influenza, which includes information for Workers and Business & Industry.

  • The workplace preparedness section of the official U.S. government's Web site for pandemic and avian influenza preparedness.

  • The Delmarva Avian Influenza Joint Task Force's "Interim Guidance for Implementation of CDC and OSHA Avian Influenza Recommendations".

  • Resources on worker health and safety for avian and pandemic influenza collected by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) Worker Education and Training Program (WETP), including several podcasts.

Ask an Expert

• For more information, please contact:

John Furman, Ph.D., MSN, CIC, COHN-S
Occupational Nurse Consultant
WISHA Policy & Technical Services
(360) 902-5666
Email furk235@lni.wa.gov