DWC Advises Employers, Health Care Professionals to Look for Work-Related Cases of Bird Flu in California

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) would like to alert the California workers’ compensation community about occupational cases of bird flu.  Bird flu cases have been identified in dairy farmworkers in California. Cases of bird flu have also been identified among commercial poultry workers in other states, and California has several poultry flock outbreaks currently. Employers and health care providers should be on the lookout for potential cases of bird flu. They should assist symptomatic employees in obtaining workers’ compensation evaluation and care.

Employees who get bird flu on the job are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Employers are required to provide employees with a workers’ compensation claim form.  They must send the worker to a workers’ compensation health care provider knowledgeable about bird flu.

Health care providers should report findings to their local health department if are treating a worker exposed to animals confirmed or suspected to have bird flu. They can provide appropriate guidance on collection of specimens  for testing and timely treatment if positive. 

The DWC and Cal/OSHA are working with other agencies including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) to stop the spread of bird flu.  

Resources:

• Cal/OSHA Bird Flu Information for employers in English and Spanish.

• Most recent CAHAN: Evaluation and Testing for Human Avian Influenza A H5N1 Infection
• CDPH Bird Flu Website 
• CDPH Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Information for Health Professionals
• Health Alert: First cases of human Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in California &Preparation for Respiratory Virus Season (COVID-19, Influenza and RSV)
• CDPH Avian Influenza A Infection Control for Healthcare Providers
• CDPH Human Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Quicksheet    
• CDC: Interim Guidance on the Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Human Disease
• CDFA Avian Influenza Updates
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings When Caring for Confirmed Cases, Probable Cases, and Cases Under Investigation for Infection with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Disease

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