Few States Tracking Dairy Farm Worker Health Protections Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
Source: DairyNews.today
Inconsistent PPE Responses Across U.S. Dairy Industry Highlight Gaps in Worker Safety
As the bird flu outbreak affects dairy herds across the United States, the response to protecting farmworkers with personal protective equipment (PPE) has been inconsistent, raising concerns about worker safety and the potential for further human infections. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of PPE for workers handling animals or animal fluids, data reveals that state health departments are not uniformly tracking or distributing the necessary protective gear to those at risk.
Since the CDC's May recommendation that personal protective equipment be provided to those working directly with dairy cattle, nearly 700 herds have been affected by the virus, and 60 individuals have contracted the disease, most through contact with infected dairy cattle. The CDC has emphasized the importance of PPE such as face shields, gloves, and respirators in minimizing the spread of the virus.
However, a review of records fr om 15 states with confirmed dairy cattle outbreaks reveals that many state agencies have been slow to act or have delegated the responsibility to local health departments. In several states, including Ohio, Wyoming, and New Mexico, farmworkers' requests for PPE have either been ignored or remain untracked. Only one Wisconsin dairy farm, despite being a major dairy-producing state, has sought PPE fr om state health authorities.
In contrast, Minnesota, which has seen fewer bird flu cases in dairy cattle, has issued PPE to over 200 agricultural businesses. States like Michigan and North Carolina, however, have provided PPE to fewer than a dozen farms, pointing to significant variability in response efforts.
Bethany Alcauter, director of the National Center for Farmworker Health, described this disparity as a failure in communication, noting that many farm operators may not fully understand the risks posed by the bird flu or may not see them as different from the common hazards in their work. She highlighted that tasks like milking cows can expose workers to raw milk, which may increase the risk of infection. The CDC's guidelines recommend PPE such as gloves, rubber overalls, and face shields to lim it exposure.
One of the key issues lies in the enforcement of safety protocols. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide PPE in environments with potential bird flu exposure but cannot enforce these standards on farms with fewer than 11 employees. This loophole has hindered consistent protection for farmworkers, especially on smaller farms.
A recent CDC study found that adherence to PPE guidelines is low in hot, cramped milking parlors, wh ere visibility and the need for eye protection make it difficult for workers to properly use safety equipment. The study revealed that dairy workers in Michigan and Colorado, who had been infected with the virus, reported little to no use of PPE, even though these states have had significant bird flu outbreaks.
Between January 2023 and September 2024, Michigan reported only 11 PPE requests from dairy farms, while Colorado saw 40 requests, with many coming during the summer months when outbreaks intensified. Colorado's health department has also distributed PPE to an outreach group that works directly with individual farmworkers, an approach that has helped ensure more targeted assistance.
Texas, which was the first state to report bird flu in dairy cattle, has taken a decentralized approach, with regional health offices filling PPE requests as they arise. However, California, which has the most significant number of dairy cattle cases, has relied on local agencies to manage PPE distribution, providing support on a case-by-case basis. Other states, including Iowa and Idaho, have employed similar decentralized models.
In Wisconsin, which has yet to report a confirmed case of bird flu in dairy cattle, only a handful of farms have requested PPE, and most requests have come from dairy product manufacturers and veterinary offices, not directly from farms. Wisconsin officials have urged producers to improve their biosecurity efforts in anticipation of potential outbreaks.
Minnesota’s proactive approach contrasts sharply with these varied responses. The state has fulfilled over 200 PPE requests, with a large number coming from dairy producers, suggesting that more comprehensive planning could help mitigate future outbreaks in other regions.
Since the CDC's May recommendation that personal protective equipment be provided to those working directly with dairy cattle, nearly 700 herds have been affected by the virus, and 60 individuals have contracted the disease, most through contact with infected dairy cattle. The CDC has emphasized the importance of PPE such as face shields, gloves, and respirators in minimizing the spread of the virus.
However, a review of records fr om 15 states with confirmed dairy cattle outbreaks reveals that many state agencies have been slow to act or have delegated the responsibility to local health departments. In several states, including Ohio, Wyoming, and New Mexico, farmworkers' requests for PPE have either been ignored or remain untracked. Only one Wisconsin dairy farm, despite being a major dairy-producing state, has sought PPE fr om state health authorities.
In contrast, Minnesota, which has seen fewer bird flu cases in dairy cattle, has issued PPE to over 200 agricultural businesses. States like Michigan and North Carolina, however, have provided PPE to fewer than a dozen farms, pointing to significant variability in response efforts.
Bethany Alcauter, director of the National Center for Farmworker Health, described this disparity as a failure in communication, noting that many farm operators may not fully understand the risks posed by the bird flu or may not see them as different from the common hazards in their work. She highlighted that tasks like milking cows can expose workers to raw milk, which may increase the risk of infection. The CDC's guidelines recommend PPE such as gloves, rubber overalls, and face shields to lim it exposure.
One of the key issues lies in the enforcement of safety protocols. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide PPE in environments with potential bird flu exposure but cannot enforce these standards on farms with fewer than 11 employees. This loophole has hindered consistent protection for farmworkers, especially on smaller farms.
A recent CDC study found that adherence to PPE guidelines is low in hot, cramped milking parlors, wh ere visibility and the need for eye protection make it difficult for workers to properly use safety equipment. The study revealed that dairy workers in Michigan and Colorado, who had been infected with the virus, reported little to no use of PPE, even though these states have had significant bird flu outbreaks.
Between January 2023 and September 2024, Michigan reported only 11 PPE requests from dairy farms, while Colorado saw 40 requests, with many coming during the summer months when outbreaks intensified. Colorado's health department has also distributed PPE to an outreach group that works directly with individual farmworkers, an approach that has helped ensure more targeted assistance.
Texas, which was the first state to report bird flu in dairy cattle, has taken a decentralized approach, with regional health offices filling PPE requests as they arise. However, California, which has the most significant number of dairy cattle cases, has relied on local agencies to manage PPE distribution, providing support on a case-by-case basis. Other states, including Iowa and Idaho, have employed similar decentralized models.
In Wisconsin, which has yet to report a confirmed case of bird flu in dairy cattle, only a handful of farms have requested PPE, and most requests have come from dairy product manufacturers and veterinary offices, not directly from farms. Wisconsin officials have urged producers to improve their biosecurity efforts in anticipation of potential outbreaks.
Minnesota’s proactive approach contrasts sharply with these varied responses. The state has fulfilled over 200 PPE requests, with a large number coming from dairy producers, suggesting that more comprehensive planning could help mitigate future outbreaks in other regions.
