SAN MATEO COUNTY — Personal protective equipment is being distributed to workers at dairy and poultry farms in San Mateo County to protect against the H5N1 virus, county health officials said Wednesday.
Due to increasing concerns about the H5N1 virus, bird flu, spreading nationwide among dairy cows, the county health department will participate in a program through the California Department of Public Health to provide a one-time supply of personal protective equipment to businesses and organizations . that employ or serve workers in the dairy and poultry sectors.
According to the California Department of Public Health, the following types of personal protective equipment can be requested: air-purifying respirators, N95 masks, gloves, goggles, face shields and hats.
Currently, there have been no known cases of H5N1 in humans or livestock in California, and the risks to the general public are considered low. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that workers on dairy and poultry farms and those who handle raw milk have personal protective equipment available in case it is needed.
Operators must provide personal protective equipment to their employees when working closely with animals or products known or suspected to be contaminated with H5N1, in accordance with California Division of Occupational Safety and Health standards.
Poultry and dairy farmers, as well as organizations that serve dairy and poultry farm workers, can request a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment for their employees in San Mateo County by contacting HS_MHOAC@smcgov.org. The deadline to place an order is July 9.
