Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) Information for Employers
Page originally published 2/21/2025. Last updated 6/9/2026.
If you see an unusual number of sick or dead birds in your flock, or you suspect other animals are infected with bird flu, contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Sick Bird Hotline at 1-866-922-2473.
Employers of organizations that provide services involving animals should take steps to reduce workers' exposure to bird fluf from sick animals, their bodily fluids, or contaminated environments.
- Learn about California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requirements that may apply to you.
Workers may be exposed to bird flu when:
- Working with animals confirmed or potentially infected with bird flu.
- Working within the environments of infected animals.
- Exposure to infected animals’ bodily fluids (including raw milk and feces) that are contaminated with bird flu.
On this page:
Prevent or reduce worker exposure to bird flu:
- Watch for sick or dead animals on your farm or workplace.
- Test animals for bird flu by working with your veterinarian and/or calling the California Department of Food and Agriculture: 1-866-922-2473
- Workers should use recommended PPE when working with sick or dead animals.
- Use a ventilation system that provides a constant supply of fresh air by strategically placing fans and vents. Regularly clean and maintain ventilation systems.
- Ask employees to monitor
themselves for symptoms of illness every day while they are
working with animals confirmed or potentially infected. They should
continue to self-monitor for 10 days after the last day of exposure.
If they become sick while working or during those 10 days:
- Have them isolate themselves from others and tell their supervisor,
- Call the San Diego County Epidemiology Unit to report flu symptoms after a potential bird flu exposure: 1-619-692-8499
- Before they visit their doctor, encourage workers with symptoms to notify their provider of their bird flu exposure and symptoms unless it’s an emergency.
- Encourage employees to get
a seasonal flu vaccine.
- Seasonal flu vaccination is not designed or intended to prevent infection with bird flu but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human seasonal influenza viruses.
Clean with soap and hot water and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
- NIOSH Approved® particulate respirator
- Fluid-resistant coveralls
- Safety goggles
- Boot covers or boots
- Head cover or hair cover
- Disposable gloves
- Optional items: waterproof aprons over the top of coveralls to prevent cross contamination during PPE removal and face shield over the top of goggles and respirator to protect against large amounts of liquid splashing onto the filtering facepiece respirator.
Be mindful of heat safety when using PPE.
State
- Bird Flu (California Department of Public Health)
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock (California Department of Food and Agriculture)
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Birds (CDFA)
- Information Sheet: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Federal
- Wear Personal Protect Equipment – High Exposure | Spanish (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Remove Personal Protective Equipment Safely – High Exposure | Spanish (CDC)
Call the Epidemiology Unit at (619) 692-8499, or send an email, for more information.
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