Avian Influenza (H5N1) or Bird Flu
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IN THIS ISSUE |
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WELCOME |
You cannot get much more topical than this month’s main article, in which I seek to address the issue of Avian Influenza – more often referred to as Bird Flu.
This is a peculiar threat insofar that currently it is relatively low level but with a reasonably high likelihood that it could become extremely serious in a very short time.
When assessing the level of risk, it is potentially serious on both counts:
- First is the possibility of an infection that carries with it a high mortality rate
- Second is the fact that very large numbers of people could be affected
From a health and safety point of view, the combination of these two factors makes this a very high risk indeed and therefore one that we simply cannot afford to ignore.
Whilst we may think that there is little we can do as businesses, charities, schools, etc. to prevent a global pandemic (and that is the level of threat that expert medical advice indicates), there are precautions we can put in place to limit the impact on our workforce – and that is really what occupational health and safety is all about.
This article doesn’t attempt to look at the issue from a medical practitioner point of view, since there are far better qualified people to deal with those aspects. Instead, I am proposing that we adopt a straightforward health and safety approach of assessing the risks and putting in place those precautions that are reasonably practicable.
Enjoy the article and then consider what you need to do to adapt the information to your specific circumstances. If you need professional help in assessing the risks and formulating an appropriate policy and strategy, then give us a call on 01744 766010 or see our Contact Us page
David Skews, (CEO)
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AVIAN INFLUENZA (H5N1) |
Current State of Play
There is a tremendous amount of media coverage for the so called bird flu and the possibility of a global pandemic. Indeed, the media have been quoted as describing it as a “Biological Time Bomb”.
As of the time of writing, the situation may be summarized as:
- Asia is currently experiencing a second major outbreak of avian flu since 1997
- Since December 2003, there have been a total of 60 reported deaths from the disease
- All cases of bird flu amongst humans appear to have been transmitted from birds to people. According to the best available information, there have, as yet, been no cases of transmission from person to person
- Whilst most reported cases amongst humans have been in Southeast Asia, infected birds have now been identified in European countries. It is believed that some of these infections are the result of importing infected birds and others, which are far more difficult to control, have resulted from migrating birds.
- Influenza viruses are capable of mutating and it is believed that the possibility of the virus developing the ability to transmit from human to human is a very real one. Should this occur, the likelihood of a global pandemic is high unless we can do something to halt the spread of infection.
Some influenza viruses have the ability to swap genetic materials and merge with each other. Consequently, in simple terms, it is possible for a strain of bird flue to merge with a strain of human flu to produce a virus that is readily transmissible from person to person. This kind of mutation is most likely to occur in a person who contracts both bird and human forms of flu at the same time.
Although the consequences of bird flu are relatively minor at present (though clearly this is not the case for those 60 or so families who have lost loved ones), it nonetheless represents a high risk, which, if it occurs, could have catastrophic consequences.
Clearly, governments have a major role to play in containing this risk and we look to them to identify each new strain of virus and prepare vaccines in appropriate quantities. However, there are limits to what governments are able or willing to do and employers cannot afford to ignore the threat and hope someone else will find the solution.
Apart from their legal duties under health and safety legislation, employers could also be faced with very severe consequences for their businesses, should their workforce (or that of their suppliers or customers) be severely infected.
Assessing the Risk
So how should an employer approach this particular threat? First it must be recognized that although there is a general underlying risk that affects everyone, there are also significant differences for different organisations.
For example, any organisation where employees come into frequent close contact with birds is at a higher risk as a result of this activity. Poultry farmers are an obvious example, as are vets and those who look after aspects of our natural environment.
It isn’t just poultry farmers who are on the front-line. For example, pigs are susceptible to both bird flu and human forms of flu so that merging of the two strains of virus could also occur in pigs.
Health care professionals are clearly at risk should significant infection break out amongst humans.
Another group of people at particular risk are those who travel to countries where the virus is known to exist. This includes members of the travel industry as well as those who need to travel in order to conduct their business in these countries.
According to the Food Standards Agency, people who are not considered to be at risk are those who handle or eat properly cooked poultry meat. The risk of becoming infected arises from close contact with live poultry that are infected. Of course, this does not negate the advice that has always been around to wash your hands after handling uncooked poultry meat because of the risk from all kinds of bacteria.
All of these are just examples of people who could be at particular risk of infection. It is incumbent on each employer to consider the activities of each group of employees to assess the likelihood that those activities could make them more or less susceptible to infection.
Not only so, but the time to undertake such assessments is as early as possible after the hazard becomes apparent – in other words NOW. Should a pandemic occur, then the best medical advice indicates that the spread could be very rapid indeed, which is not the best time to be starting to think about risks assessments and effective control measures.
Addressing the Risks
Although vaccinations can help, it may not be possible to administer vaccinations on a wide scale against strains of bird flu, but the regular annual vaccinations against human forms of flu are certainly worthwhile. Apart from limiting the risk of becoming infected by two viruses at the same time (double trouble), it reduces the opportunities for the bird flue virus to mutate into something that can be transmitted more readily from human to human.
Antiviral drugs can also be effective both for treatment and prevention of infection. However, some have limitations, can be very expensive and supplies are limited
Keep employees informed
It is worth ensuring that all employees are properly informed about the risks, both in general terms and in specific ways that might affect them in the course of their work.
As well as being aware of the risks, employees also need to know about any precautions you have put in place to minimize the likelihood of infection and what you expect of them should they become infected.
It is a fact that many UK employees believe it is a sign of weakness if they allow an infection to keep them away from work. Much as such a work ethic may be commendable, it is seriously counter productive if other people become infected as a result.
In the case of bird flu, the consequences of spreading infection are on a completely new level – potentially fatal – and this needs to be made very clear to “workaholic” employees.
Consequently, should there be a serious outbreak in our own country, employees need to be aware that they will not be welcome in the workplace if they have reasonable grounds for believing they are infected. Instead, they should seek immediate medical treatment and follow their doctor’s advice.
Common Sense Measures
Some precautions are obvious when pointed out but it is still worth making the point – over and over again if necessary. For example:
- Avoid direct contact with any live poultry and keep away from places where poultry is raised or sold
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, regardless of whether or not they are visibly soiled
- If at all possible, avoid travelling to parts of the world where the infection is already present
- Avoid mass gatherings of people anywhere if there is any reason to believe that infected people may be present (including yourself)
- Even avoid mass gatherings in the workplace if it is possible to make alternative arrangements
- If you have to mix with people (or livestock) that you believe could be infected, ensure you wear appropriate protective clothing, mask etc and that you follow available advice for washing, cleaning and disinfecting
- As far as possible, avoid touching the face, particularly around the areas of the mouth, nose and eyes
- Avoid eating poultry meat, eggs, etc that are not properly cooked
- Seek help and advice at the first signs of any symptoms, particularly fever, coughing, sore throat or difficulty in breathing
Poultry and related industries
If you have anything to do with keeping live birds, then you need to obtain specific advice from DEFRA in regard to preventing infection in the first place and controlling it should any birds show symptoms of infection. The most obvious precautions include:
- Restricting movement of animals and litter
- Limiting the movement of vehicles between yours and other locations that could be harbouring infection
- Cleansing and disinfection of premises and vehicles
- Avoid importing live birds if at all possible. If essential, ensure you scrupulously observe strict quarantine procedures
- Keeping in touch with your local vet if there is the slightest suspicion of infection
However, such a list should not be treated as exhaustive. It is essential that you seek advice for your specific circumstances.
Travel to infected parts of the world
Before travel
- Educate yourself on the current situation in the country you plan to visit
- Visit your doctor for advice and ensure you are up to date with all routine vaccinations. Flu of any kind is bad enough by itself without suffering other infections as well
- Check out health care resources in the destination country before leaving
- Ensure your medical and travel insurance are sufficient to get you home in an emergency
After travel
- Monitor your health for at least 10 days after your return
- If you need to visit a medical practitioner, be sure to inform them where you have been and when
- Avoid unnecessary contact with others to minimise the potential for any infection to spread
In summary, the first thing every employer needs to do is to undertake an assessment as a matter or urgency in order to identify and evaluate the risks to employees of contracting bird flu. The level of risk can vary for different groups of employees, depending on their specific circumstances, and therefore it is important to identify who may be affected by the risks and how.
Next consider what precautions you can put in place; considering preventative measures first and then what needs to be done in the event of significant infection of your workforce.
Finally, you need to ensure all employees are properly briefed as to the true nature of the risks and what they need to do in order to comply with the precautions you have put in place.
For most employers, there is probably little we can do to prevent the bird flu virus from mutating and passing from person to person, but if we act in a timely fashion, we can certainly take a few common sense measures to limit the impact on our employees and our businesses.
Useful links
DEFRA - http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/avianinfluenza.htm
Dept of Health - http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/EmergencyPlanning/PandemicFlu/fs/en
Health Protection Agency - http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/avianinfluenza/menu.htm
If you think you may need to enlist the aid of experienced health and safety specialists to help you, then please get in touch with our Head Office.
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CASE LAW |
Continuing the theme of risks associated with poultry, the case I want to bring to your attention this month involved a supermarket storage trolley that was loaded with chilled chickens.
The trolley was known to be faulty and when a counter assistant was attempting to demonstrate the problem to her supervisor, the trolley collapsed, burying the counter assistant under 144 kilos of chickens. The result was that the assistant suffered severe bruising.
Apart from the tenuous link between this incident and the topic of our main article, there are a couple of lessons about which every employer needs to be reminded over and over again.
First is that the trolley was overloaded well beyond its designed capacity (approx 50% overload). Members of staff had not been informed about the safe working limits and a suitable risk assessment had not been carried out for safe transport of the chickens. As a result, overloading had become an accepted practice at the store.
The lesson is that unsafe practices can so easily develop, sometimes almost imperceptibly over time. It is for this reason that health and safety best practice requires that risk assessments be carried out by a competent person, following an approved procedure that has been proved to be effective in practice.
Secondly, it was discovered that the trolley had been taken out of service a week before the incident because it was faulty. It was then returned to service without having been repaired.
The second lesson is that cutting corners with health and safety is not an acceptable option. We can only assume that there were business pressures that led to a decision to re-instate the trolley before it had been repaired. However, in the event, the decision resulted in very substantial costs to the company.
The two factors combined made it almost inevitable that an accident would occur. It was only a matter of time.
This particular incident cost the company £12,000 in fines, plus court costs. Quite possibly the fines were relatively small when compared with other business and compensation costs incurred as a result of the accident.
Overall, therefore, the message is to be vigilant and to avoid cutting corners in regard to health and safety. The cost of following such advice is relatively little when compared with the costs when things go wrong.
You can find additional information about this case on the BBC News website at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/4272836.stm
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LEGAL MONITOR |
In the last month, things have been relatively quiet on the legal changes front, apart from a new HSE consultation document on changes to the Asbestos Regulations and associated Approved Code of Practice.
If you have views on the management of asbestos, then you have until January 2006 to express them. You can find access information about the proposals from our Legal Changes page on our website
However, it is perhaps worth a reminder that there are a number of regulatory changes that are lined up for introduction in April 2006. Bearing in mind that it is only a few short months away, it may be worthwhile ensuring you are prepared beforehand. The changes include:
In addition, although regulations were introduced in July 2005 to control exposure to Vibration, the actual exposure limits are to be phased in from 2007 through to 2014, so it is worth keeping informed of what is required and when.
For help with implementing any of these changes, please get in touch for a no-obligation chat. See our Contact Us page.
View anticipated Changes to Health & Safety Law. Then decide how you might be affected and if you need to make changes in preparation.
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David Skews, (CEO)
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EDP Health Safety & Environment Consultants Ltd
Lakeside, Alexandra Park, Prescot Road, St. Helens, Merseyside, UK
Telephone: +44(0)1744 766000
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