OHA offers tips to stay safe around farm animals at county fairs, avoid exposure to avian influenza
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Summertime is county fair season, and as people head out to enjoy these annual events showcasing Oregon’s agricultural communities, health officials are sharing tips for preventing exposure to avian influenza and other diseases that farm animals can spread.
“County fairs are so important for celebrating agriculture education and the dedication of Oregon’s agricultural communities. Farm animal exhibits are a big part of what makes these events so fun,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority. “There are a few common-sense actions people can take to keep the fun going while preventing exposure to germs animals carry that can make people sick.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 136 dairy cow herds across 12 states have confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza. No dairy cow or human cases have been reported in Oregon.
The CDC has recommendations for reducing infection risk in settings where people and animals are in close contact, such as fairs, exhibitions and shows, for people viewing and showing animals:
For people exhibiting animals:
Human symptoms of H5N1, a type of influenza A – as well as the more common seasonal flu viruses – include:
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications and should limit contact with animals that could carry influenza viruses, such as pigs, poultry and cattle.
Officials at the OHA Public Health Division’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section are working closely with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, local public health authorities, and health care partners to monitor for H5N1 avian influenza and other animal-borne respiratory viruses.
This week, OHA epidemiologists sent a statewide Health Alert Network advisory to clinicians and laboratories recommending they test for influenza viruses and monitor for novel influenza A virus infections, such as from H5N1. Clinicians should ask all patients seeking care for influenza-like illness outside the influenza season about cattle and pig exposure, fair attendance, and contact with birds with known or suspected avian influenza virus infection, and provide testing and treatment to those who report these exposures.