OSHA guidance for Protecting Employees against avian flu.The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. agency established (1970) in the Dept. of Labor (see Labor, United States Department of) to develop and enforce regulations for the safety and health of workers in businesses that are engaged in interstate (OSHA OSHA n. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the US Department of Labor responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace. ) is offering a new safety and health guidance that informs employees and employers about the hazards of occupational exposure to avian influenza avian influenza: see influenza. from infected birds and provides practical recommendations on ways to avoid infection. The OSHA Guidance Update on Protecting Employees from Avian Flu Viruses, as well as other important resource information on the topic, is available in English and Spanish in the In Focus section of OSHA's homepage at www.osha.gov. Wild birds, particularly waterfowl waterfowl, common term for members of the order Anseriformes, wild, aquatic, typically freshwater birds including ducks, geese, and screamers. In Great Britain the term is also used to designate species kept for ornamental purposes on private lakes or ponds, while in , are natural hosts of avian-flu viruses and often show no symptoms; however, some of the viruses, including H5N1, can cause high mortality in poultry. Some strains of avian-flu viruses carried by these wild birds can infect domestic fowl and in turn can infect humans, causing fever, cough, sore throat Sore Throat Definition Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. It is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with colds or influenza. , eye infections, and muscle pain. Avian flu can also lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress Respiratory distress A condition in which patients with lung disease are not able to get enough oxygen. Mentioned in: Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell , and other severe and life-threatening complications. The most common route of transmission to humans is by contact with contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. poultry. The new document updates the guidance on avian flu issued by OSHA in 2004. The update provides separate recommendations for poultry employees and people who handle other animals, and for laboratory employees, healthcare personnel, food handlers, travelers, and U.S. employees stationed abroad. The primary focus is on good hygiene, including use of gloves and handwashing, as well as on respiratory protection for those who work with infected animals or individuals. The guidance also includes links to Web sites that offer additional information and provides a list of technical articles and resources, including a history of flu pandemics, a description of symptoms and outcomes of various strains of the avian flu, a summary of bird importation regulations, and a detailed explanation of transmission. |
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