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