Participant Handouts

MODULE 1
Handout #6
Why Use PPEs
• The avian influenza virus can infect a person through their eyes, nose
or mouth. In fact, most cases of human avian influenza infections have resulted
from contact, in some way, with infected poultry or by touching contaminated
surfaces and then touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth. That is why gloves and face
coverings like respirators and goggles are so important.
• The virus can be in the air we breathe. Poultry manure and bedding from
flocks infected with avian influenza virus can contaminate dust and soil. When
the dust and soil is kicked up by wind, walking or movement, the contaminated
dust can be inhaled through the nose and mouth. That is why wearing the N-95
respirator is important for your safety and well-being.
• The virus can be carried to other farms. Hands/skin, clothing or shoes can
become contaminated with avian influenza virus – either from poultry directly
or from manure/bedding – and then carried to uninfected farms, thus spreading
the virus to new areas. The PPE not only will protect the person wearing it, but it
protects the people and farms he will come into contact with in the near future.
• The virus can survive in the environment. The virus can live in the
environment – outside an infected host. It can survive, at cool temperatures, in
contaminated manure for at least three months. In water, the virus can survive
for up to four days at 22o C and more than 30 days at 0o C. Even if it seems
dramatic, we always have to assume that there is virus in the manure, bedding,
dirt, feathers, and dust or chicken parts. Assuming the worst situation can
motivate us to wear PPE for all jobs, every time.
• It only takes a gram to infect 1 million birds. In studies with avian
influenza a single gram of contaminated manure was found to contain enough
virus to infect 1 million birds. A gram is only about the size of a paper clip or nail.
A single worker with contaminated dirt or manure on his shoes or boots could
cause a huge outbreak.