313 - Avian Influenza (H5N1) at the Human-Animal Interface: Public Health Perspectives for Clinicians

Session Description: This session will equip occupational health clinicians with crucial knowledge about Avian Influenza (H5N1), highlighting public health responses in California and Colorado. Participants will learn how the virus spreads, strategies to protect workers, and methods to evaluate and manage symptomatic workers. The session will also provide practical resources and guidelines to address this occupational health issue effectively, aiming to reduce its impact on the workplace and ensure the well-being of employees.

Educational Gaps: Clinicians should observe symptomatic workers and provide general guidance, but often lack specific knowledge about H5N1 transmission and appropriate controls. They should conduct risk assessments, implement targeted workplace interventions, and learn best practices to evaluate/manage workers in an occupational health clinic.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: No

Has this session previously been presented?: A similar presentation was presented last year, December 2024, through a WOEMA webinar. However, this presentation will also address updates since that webinar and further developments in H5N1 response including the challenges faced with the current climate.

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: This session aligns with the AOHC theme by addressing the One Health approach, which aims to protect workers while mitigating the spread of infections among various animal species, ultimately addressing public health comprehensively. To date, there have been 38 confirmed cases of human infection in California, 10 cases in Colorado, and 70 cases nationwide, affecting wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle.