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:

• Stay home if you are experiencing flu-like illness to avoid spreading your illness to other people and animals.
• Keep toys, pacifiers, cups, bottles, strollers or similar items out of animal areas.
• Don’t eat, drink or put anything in your mouth or touch your eyes while in animal areas, such as barns and show arenas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water after touching animals, animal-associated equipment or their environments, such as a barn or enclosure. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For people exhibiting animals:

• Minimize direct contact with pigs, poultry, cattle and other animals that look or act sick. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) – protective clothing, gloves, goggles and a respirator or well-fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose – if you must come in contact with animals that may be ill.
• Farm animals such as pigs, poultry and cattle should remain at the fair or exhibition for shorter periods of time – ideally, 72 hours or less – to prevent or interrupt the spread of flu among them.
• Animals that are sick or from herds with a recent history of respiratory disease should be kept at home to prevent further spread of illness.
• Watch animals before and during the fair for signs of illness, such as loss of appetite, fever, tiredness, eye redness, cough, runny nose or appearance of discomfort. If you suspect illness, immediately contact the fair veterinarian or fair manager, remove sick animals from the exhibition area and avoid close contact with sick animals.
• Clean and disinfect all tack, feeders, waterers, equipment and show supplies before and after bringing them to the fair or show. Do not share equipment used for other animals.

Human symptoms of H5N1, a type of influenza A – as well as the more common seasonal flu viruses – include:

• Fever or feeling feverish.
• Cough.
• Sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Muscle or body aches.
• Headaches.
• Fatigue.
• Sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
• Eye redness/irritation or eye discharge, which is more common in humans infected with animal influenza viruses than seasonal influenza viruses.

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.