Agricultural and wildlife workers encouraged to take extra measures this flu season

The agricultural sector is being encouraged to take additional measures to protect both their health and the health of their animals during the flu season.

While the seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against avian or swine influenza, it is vital for preventing the reassortment of viruses. Reassortment occurs when a person is infected with two different strains of influenza at the same time. When a person is co-infected with both human and avian or swine strains, these viruses could combine to form a new, more virulent strain.

Workers who are vaccinated against human strains of influenza help to reduce this risk and protect the broader community. Poultry flocks are particularly vulnerable to avian influenza viruses, which can mutate and spread rapidly through large numbers of birds.

For PCBUs who work with poultry and other avian products the following measures can help protect your workers and animals:

• Encourage vaccination—ensure all workers, especially those in close contact with animals, receive their annual flu vaccine.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) —provide and enforce the use of appropriate PPE for workers handling potentially infected animals.
• Stay home when unwell—encourage anyone showing flu-like symptoms to stay home until they have fully recovered, preventing the spread of the virus to both humans and animals.
• Good hygiene practices—implement and promote stringent hygiene measures, including regular handwashing, disinfecting workspaces, and proper disposal of tissues and other waste.

Further information

For additional flu prevention resources visit https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases/influenza/resources.

To learn more about influenza A in animals, visit WorkSafe Queensland. For details on avian influenza, check out Queensland Health.