Skip to main content
About IDPH

H5N1 Information for Livestock and Poultry Farm Workers

Resources

Avian influenza H5N1 in Illinois and Nationally

In Illinois, avian influenza H5N1 has been found in poultry, wild birds, an opossum, a domestic cat, and zoo animals. In other states, avian influenza H5N1 has been found in these species as well as dairy cattle, other wild mammals, and human patients. Most avian influenza H5N1 detections in domestic animals and people in the United States have occurred in farm settings. Those working with livestock and poultry need to be aware of the risk of avian influenza H5N1 in the animals they work with and take steps to reduce these risks to their fellow staff, families, communities, and the animals they work with.

Clinical signs of avian influenza H5N1 in animals include:

  • Sudden death (poultry)
  • Drop in milk production/quality (dairy animals)
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased appetite
  • Reddened or inflamed eyes
  • Discharge from the eyes and nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Neurologic symptoms, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness

Note that, similar to signs of influenza disease in humans, many of these symptoms are relatively nonspecific to avian influenza H5N1. Seek assistance from a veterinarian if you think your animals may have avian influenza H5N1.

Sick Animals Can Spread Infections to Human Farm Workers

Sick animals can pass the influenza virus to people in their saliva, feces, respiratory secretions, and other body fluids, especially milk. A person can contract avian influenza H5N1 when they breathe in the virus or touch something that has the virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose. Without precautions, this can easily happen to workers on the farm.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Prevent Avian influenza H5N1

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that farm workers wear PPE when working with animals that are sick or potentially sick with avian influenza H5N1 virus.

Personal protective equipment to prevent H5N1 infection includes:

  • N95 particulate respirator
  • Unvented safety goggles or a face shield
  • Gloves
  • Head/hair cover
  • Rubber boots
  • Fluid-resistant coveralls +/- waterproof apron (depending on task)

While wearing PPE:

  • Avoid touching above your chest, especially your eyes, mouth, or nose, after touching any contaminated material.
  • Do not eat, drink, smoke, vape, chew gum, dip tobacco, or use the bathroom. Entirely remove PPE and shower/wash as best as possible before these activities.
  • If possible, shower at the end of the work shift and put on clean, uncontaminated clothing. If there are no shower facilities on-site, clean up as much as possible, put-on uncontaminated clothing, and leave straight from work to shower. Leave all contaminated clothing and equipment at work.
  • Follow instructions for taking PPE on/off. Use a designated clean area for putting on PPE and a separate one for taking it off.

Human H5N1 Avian influenza disease

There have been 70 cases of human avian influenza H5N1 detected as of May 15, 2025 in the United States -- 41 have occurred after dairy farm exposures, and 24 have occurred after poultry farm exposures. Livestock and poultry farm work represents the biggest risk for humans to contract avian influenza H5N1 in the United States. Farm workers need to monitor their health to prevent potential infections from spreading to their families and communities.

Signs and symptoms of avian influenza H5N1 in humans:

he reported signs and symptoms of avian influenza H5N1 virus infections in humans have ranged from no symptoms to mild or severe. Symptoms may include:

  • Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
  • Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
  • Pneumonia requiring hospitalization
  • Fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish, although fever may not always be present.
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

What should a farm employee do if they start to feel sick?

  • Stay at home and away from others as much as possible until you know if you are sick with avian influenza H5N1.
  • Call to speak to a medical provider about your symptoms and inform your work supervisor that you have symptoms that could be avian influenza H5N1.
  • Contact your local health department to discuss your symptoms and whether you should be tested for avian influenza H5N1.
  • Tell any health care providers that you see that you work on a farm and may have been exposed to avian influenza H5N1. Contact your local health department before going to the doctor so that the health department can work with the doctors to ensure you receive the care you need. If you cannot contact your local health department and need to go to the doctor, call the clinic before arriving so they can safely take care of you.
  • If you are diagnosed with avian influenza H5N1, you should stay home and away from others until:
    • 5 to 7 days have passed from the onset of symptoms
      AND
    • any eye infection, including redness (but not including a special condition called subconjunctival hemorrhage) or drainage, is resolved
      AND
    • any fever (temperature of 100°F/37.8°C or higher) has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
      AND
    • other symptoms are mild and improving
  • Doctors may prescribe you and your family/contacts anti-viral medications to treat avian influenza H5N1. It is important to follow all medication directions.

Agricultural Worker Stress and Burnout

The agricultural industry faces unique pressures. Avian influenza H5N1 has placed strain and worry on U.S. agricultural industries and many rural families. Emotional health can, unfortunately, be the last thing to be addressed during tough times. The Illinois Department of Agriculture, the SIU School of Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (CRHSSD), and the University of Illinois Extension are collaborating to build a network of support and resources for Illinois farm families.

Everyone needs someone to talk to

Producers who need assistance can receive free, confidential support by calling or texting 1-833-FARM-SOS (833-327-6767) or emailing FarmFamilyResourceHelpline@mhsil.com.

SIU Farm Family Resource Initiative

Resources