CDC Expanding Bird Flu Testing Recommendations for Farm Workers

By Alvin Jones

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.”