U.S. aims to vaccinate livestock workers against seasonal flu
The government will spend $5 million to vaccinate livestock workers against the seasonal flu to prevent a potentially dangerous mingling of the seasonal and H5N1 avian flu viruses this fall, said the Centers for Disease Control on Tuesday. Nirav Shah, CDC principal deputy director, said there was "active discussion" of going a step farther, to give the H5N1 vaccine to workers culling flocks infected with bird flu, but that it was not warranted at present.
PPE use ‘not optimal’ among poultry workers infected with bird flu
Despite the discovery of bird flu among five workers at a Colorado egg farm, there is no reason to vaccinate livestock workers against the viral disease, said a top CDC official on Tuesday. Nirav Shah, CDC principal deputy director, said a heat wave, with temperatures above 100 degrees, may have discouraged workers from wearing a full set of protective gear.