OSHA Avian Flu Healthcare Workers Quick Card

Quick card on different types of precautions and steps healthcare workers should follow as well as prevention strategies.

Avian Flu
Healthcare Workers

Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are detected in the U.S., take appropriate precautions. In addition, patients who have traveled within 10 days in a country with avian flu activity and who are hospitalized with a severe feverish respiratory illness, or who are otherwise being evaluated for avian flu, should be isolated using the following precautions.

Standard Precautions

• Wash hands carefully for 15-20 seconds before and after all patient contact, or…