The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending farm workers get tested for bird flu if they have contacted infected animals, even if they have no symptoms.
The CDC, in a new study, found four farm workers tested positive for H5N1 antibodies and didn't report symptoms. The discovery is a new development following multiple bird flu outbreaks at farms across the country, and here in Michigan.
The study conducted blood tests on 115 farm workers in Michigan and Colorado. Eight tested positive for H5N1 antibodies, and four did not report having any symptoms.
The agency is now recommending farmers who milk cows and deal with sick poultry use personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job.
They also say workers who have interacted with infected animals without PPE, should use the anti-flu medication Tamiflu.
Doug Chapin is with the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He said the dairy industry, along with state and federal agencies, are dealing with this year's avian flu outbreak efficiently.
"Today where we are is a much better position than we were in April when we had a lot of unknowns. We do understand much more about the virus, how it will affect the cattle," he said. “I do feel like the industry is committed to getting ahead of this.”
He pointed to a USDA wild bird surveillance program that provides early warning for potential virus spread as an example of programs that reduce the risk H5N1 spread.
Chapin said dairy products are still safe, thanks to pasteurization killing viruses. "Pasteurization has been an important part of dairy for 100 years. And it kills-100% kill on the virus, everything we've tested. So, our products are completely safe," he said.
The avian flu has infected two Michigan workers and impacted 30 Michigan farms this year so far.
