protecting your health and business from avian influenza...the unique participatory training methods...

Protecting Your Health andBusiness from Avian Influenza

Action manual forfarmers and poultry workers

Avian and Human Influenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project

Subregional Office for East Asia

Tsuyoshi KawakamiLaddawalaya Ratananakorn

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Protecting Your Employees and Business from Pandemic Human Influenza

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Protecting Your Health and Business from Avian Influenza

Protecting Your Health andBusiness from Avian Influenza

Tsuyoshi KawakamiLaddawalaya Ratananakorn

Action manual forfarmers and poultry workers

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Copyright © International Labour Organization 2009First published 2009

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Kawakami, Tsuyoshi; Laddawalaya, Ratananakorn

Protecting your health and business from avian influenza: action manual for farmers and poultry workers/TsuyoshiKawakami and Laddawalaya Ratananakorn; Avian and Human Influenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project, ILOSubregional Office for East Asia; Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.– Bangkok: ILO, 2009

24 p.

ISBN: 9789221219521; 9789221219538 (pdf )

ILO Subregional Office for East Asia, Avian and Human Influenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project; Ministryof Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of Livestock Development

trainers manual / occupational health / occupational safety / occupational disease / infectious disease / farmer /agricultural worker / poultry / checklist

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Table of Contents

Page

Preface ................................................................................................................................... 5

Action Checklist .................................................................................................................... 6

Checkpoint 1: Collect Avian Influenza information to protect your health ........................... 14

Checkpoint 2: Handle your poultry safely ............................................................................. 16

Checkpoint 3: Use safe methods of poultry slaughtering ....................................................... 18

Checkpoint 4: Practice hygienic disposal methods and waste management............................ 20

Checkpoint 5: Report diseases swiftly .................................................................................... 22

Annex 1: Information sources ................................................................................................ 24

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5


PREFACE

The outbreak of avian influenza and the ongoing incidences of infected cases have promptedworldwide concern. The International Labour Organization (ILO), realizing the significance ofpreventing the spread of avian influenza, initiated a pilot project entitled “Avian and HumanInfluenza in the Workplace (Thailand) Project”. This project is funded by the UN Central Fundfor Influenza Action (CFIA).

One of the key activities of this project is to develop training materials to promote safe practices atthe workplace. This training manual is a product of several field visits (where good practices of avianinfluenza prevention measures in the poultry industries were observed) in Thailand and consultationswith Thai Ministries of Public Health, Labour, and Agriculture & Cooperatives, and FAO, WHO,UNSIC (UN System for Influenza Coordination) and other UN agencies. These observations formedthe basis of the illustrations and contents of the training manual.

The manual is user-friendly and practical, providing an action-checklist on various preventionmeasures including explanations and descriptions. The unique participatory training methods of theILO, Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development (WIND) and Work Improvement inSmall Enterprises (WISE), were used to promote understanding and encourage behaviour changesamongst the target population.

The scope of the project’s training manual and action checklist will not be limited to Thailand.Instead, they will serve as a model, which can be adapted to different countries’ contexts and needsto further promote avian influenza awareness.

The ILO project team and Dr Laddawalaya Ratananakorn of Department of LivestockDevelopment, Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives of Thailand, prepared the text and thechecklist, and supervised the development of the illustrations. The ILO team consisted of:Dr Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Senior Occupational Safety and Health Specialist of the ILO SubregionalOffice for East Asia; Ms Duanne Punpiputt & Ms Suttida Chaikitsakol, National ProjectCoordinators; and Ms Monrudee Sucharitakul, Project Secretary. We are grateful to Mr DonatoKiniger-Passigli, Senior Specialist, ILO CRISIS and Ms Jittima Srisuknam, Programme Officer ofthe ILO Subregional Office for East Asia for their valuable advice.

The ILO extends special acknowledgement to all that have contributed to the development of themanual and action checklist and hopes that the training manual will help improve the workingconditions of farmers and workers to prevent avian influenza.

Bill SalterDirectorILO Subregional Office for East AsiaBangkok, ThailandJanuary 2009

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Avian Influenza

ACTION CHECKLISTfor Improving Your Preparation

for Avian Influenza

HOW TO USE THE CHECKLIST

1. Read each item carefully. Look for a way to apply the measure. If necessary ask some questionsto managers and workers in your company.

2. If the measure has been applied or it is not needed, mark NO under “Do you proposeaction?”. If you think the measure is worthwhile, mark YES. Use the space under REMARKSto put a description of your suggestion or its location.

3. After you have gone through all the items, look again at the items you have marked YES.Choose a few items where the benefits seem likely to be the most important. MarkPRIORITY for these items.

4. Before finishing, make sure that you have marked NO or YES for each item, and that for someitems marked YES you have marked PRIORITY.

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I. Collect information

1. Collect information on Avian Influenzathrough agriculture, veterinary orhealth offices and on TV and radionews.

Do you propose action? No Yes Priority

Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

2. Share the updated information withyour family and neighbours.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

3. Teach your children not to touch andeat sick or dead poultry and theirremains.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

II. Safe poultry handling

4. Wash both your hands thoroughlywith soap after handling poultry.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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5. Use basic biosecurity methods likefencing off or making a barrier area toreduce the risk of your poultryinfecting with Avian Influenza.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

6. Clean and disinfect the poultry house,cages, and tools thoroughly whencages are vacant and beforeintroducing new flock.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

7. Use appropriate protective masks andgloves when handling suspectedpoultry.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

8. Store protective devices in a hygienicway.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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9. Buy chickens and ducks only fromwell-known, authorized sellers and notfrom unknown sources.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

10. After visiting an infected poultryfarm, you must shower, shampoo,and change into cleaned clothesevery time before entering your ownfarm so to prevent the spreading ofdiseases.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

III. Safe poultry slaughtering

11. Designate a work area forslaughtering and cutting of meat,and do not use the area for otherpurposes.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

12. Enclose slaughtering areas to preventanimals, wild birds or insects fromentry.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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13. Workers handling poultry are toadopt good personal hygiene such ashandwashing frequently, changingclothes before and after handlingpoultry, and wearing an apron, amask and boots. Items that are wornshould be laundered daily.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

14. Prior to slaughtering, observepoultry and look for signs of AvianInfluenza. During slaughtering, ifany signs of the disease aresuspected, then immediately disposethe poultry carcasses in a hygienicmanner.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

15. During slaughtering, prevent thepoultry carcass from beingcontaminated with the poultry wasteespecially feces from the intestine.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

16. After slaughtering, observe poultrymeat to ensure that there are nosigns of fecal contamination. If thereare signs, wash the contaminatedpoultry carcasses thoroughly withchlorinated water.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

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17. Have good ventilation and lighting.Do you propose action?

No Yes Priority

Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

18. Use water-proof materials forsurfaces wall and floors for easycleaning and disinfecting.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

19. Prepare special containers to collectand keep the inedible poultry anddispose in a hygienic manner.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

20. Regularly clean and disinfect theslaughtering area and equipment.Ensure that equipment is kept in anenclosed area away from rodents andinsects.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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IV. Poultry waste management

21. Burn or bury poultry waste at least50 cm deep and use disinfectant onthe waste before burial and again onthe pit after burial.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

22. Select the burial sites which aredistant from rivers, canals and otherwater areas. The site should befenced to avoid the access of dogs,cats etc.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

23. Ensure that workers engaged inpoultry disposal and wastemanagement adopt good personalhygiene such as washing hands andchanging clothes before and afterwork, and wearing an apron, a maskand boots. Items that are wornshould be laundered in a hygienicway.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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V. Swift disease reporting

24. Know signs and symptoms ofpoultry infected with AvianInfluenza.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

25. Observe your poultry carefullyeveryday to find early signs of AvianInfluenza.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

26. Report sick and dead birds includingsuspected ones immediately to thevillage head or community volunteers.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

27. When you or your family memberhave high fever and severe coughing,sneezing, or general weakness,consult a doctor or a Primary CareUnit immediately.


Remarks: ..........................................................

........................................................................

........................................................................

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BENEFITS FOR FARMERS/WORKERSFarmers and workers can better protect theirhealth when they have updated information onAvian Influenza. Avian Influenza is a disease ofbirds and rarely infects humans. However, thevirus can infect farmers if they come into closecontact with infected birds or materialscontaminated with their droppings, blood,carcass, offal and/or body fluid. The virusdamages both your health and your source ofincome derived from the selling and purchasing ofpoultry. Your family, neighbours, and customersmay be affected.

Knowledge and protective measures againstAvian Influenza are advancing. Many farmers areapplying practical, low-cost measures to reduceinfection risks. It is important for you to knowupdated and correct information on AvianInfluenza prevention. This gives you practicalideas on how to improve your poultry farms andprotect yourself and your family from AvianInfluenza infection.

HOW TO IMPROVE1. Ensure that everyone in your village knows

basic information on Avian Influenza(Fig. 1.2).

2. Contact agriculture, veterinary or healthofficers regularly to collect the updatedinformation and preventive measures. It isequally important to know the AvianInfluenza situation in your and surroundingprovinces and districts.

3. Pay attention to the TV, newspaper and radionews on Avian Influenza and the advice forfarmers.

4. Discuss the collected information with yourfamily. Teach your children to avoid contactwith sick or dead poultry and their remains.

WAYS TO PROMOTE COOPERATION1. Share the information with your neighbours.

You will also be able to receive new infor-mation from them. Share Avian Influenzainformation in village meetings to maintainfarmers’ attention.

2. Learn and share good practices to reduce therisk of Avian Influenza infection such aswearing personal protective devices and wastemanagement. Good practices that can be doneat low-cost are particularly useful i.e.performing hand hygiene, covering nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing, usingpaper tissues to contain respiratory secretionsand disposing of them in the nearest wastereceptacle after use.

SOME MORE HINTS1. Find correct and updated information. Don’t

trust gossip and rumours. If you have anydoubt and questions, contact agriculture,veterinary or health offices for clarification.

2. Prepare yourself on what to do when AvianInfluenza spreads to your village or itssurroundings. Collect information on thesupport measures and compensation from thegovernment when farmers lose poultry due toAvian Influenza.

CHECKPOINT 1Collect Avian Influenza information to protect your health.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Correct and updated information willprotect you, your family and your income.

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Figure 1.1 Farmers need to gather updated and correct information on Avian Influenza to protect healthand income. Pay attention to TV and radio news. Share the collected information with neighbours.

Basic information on Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza is a disease of birds. However, thevirus can infect farmers if they have close contact withinfected birds, their droppings, blood, carcass, offaland/or body fluid. Some infected birds might lookhealthy but can still infect farmers and other birds.Minimize contact with your poultry. Never touchdead or sick birds. Consult agriculture, veterinary orhealth officers for more information.

Figure 1.2 Consult agriculture, veterinary or health officers in your village or district if you have any questionor doubt.

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BENEFITS FOR FARMERS/WORKERSThere are many practical and low-cost ways toreduce Avian Influenza infection risks to farmers/workers. More and more farmers/workers areusing basic biosecurity methods like fencing off ormaking a barrier area to reduce the risk of poultrybeing exposed to Avian Influenza. The incomesources, and poultry, will be better protectedthrough these basic biosecurity methods. Theefforts to establish safe ways of handling poultrywill help the neighbouring farmers as well.

Farmers/workers are increasingly applyingstronger personal hygiene measures such aswashing hands thoroughly or using protectiveequipment when handling sick or dead poultry.You can better protect yourself and your familyafter establishing safe methods in handling yourpoultry (i.e. stronger personal hygiene measuresand the use of protective equipment).

HOW TO IMPROVE1. Use protective masks and gloves when

handling poultry. Wash your hands (palms,fingers, wrists, and backs of both hands) withsoap carefully after handling poultry (Fig. 2.1).

2. Plan and use basic biosecurity methods such ashousing the poultry in an enclosed area byfences and nets (Fig. 2.2) and installingdisinfectant footbaths at all entry points toreduce the risk of your poultry being exposedto Avian Influenza from other birds.

3. Know the early signs and symptoms of birdsinfected with Avian Influenza. Don’t touchany infected birds without wearing gloves anda mask. See “CHECKPOINT 5” on page 22.

4. Clean and disinfect the poultry house, cages,and tools regularly.

WAYS TO PROMOTE COOPERATION1. Frequent visits to social centres (i.e. local

temples, local coffee stands) to learn on anyupdated information are encouraged. Learnfrom good examples such as keeping poultry

in an enclosed area by using basic biosecuritymethods, regularly cleaning and disinfectingcages and tools, and applying personal hygienepractices.

2. Share your good practices with other farmersand workers. Assist neighbouring farmers whoare slow in making improvements. It isimportant to increase protection levels inthe same village and community to ensureprotection from Avian Influenza.

SOME MORE HINTS1. Ensure that children do not touch sick and

dead poultry and do not pick up bird feathers.Children like to play with chickens and ducksand often have higher risks of infection.

2. Educate children and family members aboutthe methods to ensure personal hygienepractices such as washing hands and usingprotective devices.

3. Buy birds only from well-known, authorizedsellers and not from unknown sources.

4. Protective devices need to be kept in ahygienic way. Disposable masks and glovesmust be discarded every time. Don’t reuse.

5. When you find many birds are sick or dead,don’t touch them. Contact agricultural,veterinary or health offices immediately.

6. Prevent spreading the disease by adoptingproper coughing and sneezing etiquette bycovering your nose and mouth every time.And ensure to discard used paper tissuesproperly.

7. Prevent transmitting the disease after visitingthe infected farm by washing, shampooingand changing into clean clothes prior to enteryour own farm.

CHECKPOINT 2Handle your poultry safely

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Farmers/workers can promote safe handling ofpoultry by using practical, low-cost measures.

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Figure 2.2 Use biosecurity method to reduce infection risks to Avian Influenza.

Before improvement After improvement

Figure 2.1 Wash your hands with soap after handling poultry. Clean palms, fingers, wrists, and backs ofhands.

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BENEFITS FOR FARMERS/WORKERSSafe slaughtering methods are important factorsin protecting farmers/workers and their familiesfrom being infected with Avian Influenza. Inslaughtering, farmers/workers come into closecontact with poultry; therefore, farmers/workersmust minimize this infection risk.

You can reduce infection risks by using practical,low-cost methods including the safe catching ofpoultry, use of protective devices, maintenance ofhygienic slaughtering facilities and proper wastemanagement. It is advised that farmers/workerscooperate with their neighbours to promote thesepractical measures.

HOW TO IMPROVE1. Designate a work area for slaughtering and

cutting of meat; and enclose the slaughteringarea to prevent entry of other animals, wildbirds, and insects. Don’t use the area for otherpurposes.

2. Observe chickens and ducks carefully beforecatching them. Don’t touch them if they looksick and have any signs of Avian Influenza(See Fig. 5.1 in CHECKPOINT 5). Don’tslaughter, consume or sell sick poultry.Immediately dispose the poultry in a hygienicmanner.

3. Use protective equipment such as masks,rubber gloves, boots, and aprons to avoiddirect contact with poultry (Fig. 3.1). Weara mask properly (Fig. 3.2). The equipmentwill minimize your contact with blood, bodyfluid and other parts of the poultry.

4. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.Palms, fingers, the backs of your hands mustbe cleaned.

5. During slaughtering, prevent the poultry’scarcass from being contaminated withpoultry’s waste especially feces from intestines.

6. Regularly clean and disinfect the slaughteringarea and equipment.

7. Use water proof materials for building surfacesand floors for easy cleaning and disinfecting.

WAYS TO PROMOTE COOPERATIONVisit your neighbours, who have set goodexamples, and observe how they slaughter theirpoultry and prepare the meat. Learn how they canavoid being exposed to Avian Influenza infection.Get advice and some guidance on safeslaughtering from the agricultural and veterinaryoffices. Discuss with your neighbours themeasures to minimize direct contact with poultryto reduce infection risks. Learn from yourneighbours’ good practices such as use of personalprotective devices, designated places forslaughtering, or effective ways of hand-washing.

SOME MORE HINTS1. Catch and slaughter chickens and ducks

skillfully to minimize the spread of feathers,blood, body fluid, etc.

2. Don’t allow children or inexperienced personsto catch chickens and ducks.

3. The slaughtering place should have goodventilation and lighting conditions. Openwindows. Choose a bright place.

4. Disposable masks are recommended and thesemasks are to be disposed after each use. As fornon-disposable masks, ensure that they arewashed and disinfected after use.

5. Wash and disinfect rubber gloves, boots, andaprons right after each use on a daily basis.Don’t wash them together with other clothes.

6. Prepare special containers to collect thepoultry waste and dispose of the waste ina hygienic manner (See CHECKPOINT 4).

7. Regularly clean and disinfect the slaughteringarea and equipment. Ensure that equipment iskept in an enclosed area away from rodentsand cockroaches.

CHECKPOINT 3Use safe methods of poultry slaughtering

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Reduce direct contact with poultry as muchas possible.

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Figure 3.2 Wear a mask appropriately. Don’t touch the inside of the mask. The mask should fit your faceand there should be no air leakage between your face and the mask. For routine slaughtering work,a surgical mask (left) or a cloth mask can work. If you need to handle sick or potentially infected poultry,you must wear a N95 respiratory mask (right).

Standard surgical mask

Figure 3.1 Wear masks, gloves, boots and aprons when you slaughter poultry and cut their meat. Usea designated workstation only for this purpose. Don’t use it for other purposes.

N95 respirator mask

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BENEFITS FOR FARMERS/WORKERSWaste of infected birds such as left-over feathers,body parts, fluid, feces, and contaminated soilcontains the Avian Influenza virus and can be aninfection source. Farmers, their families andcustomers must avoid direct contact with thepoultry’s waste. Poultry houses and facilities suchas water and food containers need to be cleanedand disinfected regularly.

Practicing hygienic poultry disposal methods andadopting proper waste management cansignificantly reduce the Avian Influenza infectionrisk to farmers, families, and customers. There aremany practical ways to practice hygienic poultrydisposal and improve hygienic waste managementby using low-cost methods.

HOW TO IMPROVE1. Wear masks properly (Fig. 3.2) whenever you

collect poultry waste. Use rubber gloves andboots to protect yourself.

2. Prepare a special container to collect poultrywaste. Place a big plastic bag inside so that thecollected waste can be easily disposed of.

3. The collected waste should be burned orburied. If buried, you need to make adesignated area, dig a hole more than 50 cmdeep and bury the waste bags. Spraydisinfectants on the waste before burial andagain on the pit after burial. The burial areais to be enclosed to ensure no entry ofscavengers. Tell your family and colleaguefarmers not to come close to that area.

4. After selling poultry and before new poultryarrives, clean and disinfect the poultry house(Fig. 4.1). Wear a cap, mask, gloves, and bootsfor protection.

5. Ensure that burial sites are distant from publicwater sources.

6. Workers handling poultry are to adopt goodpersonal hygiene and should wear protectiveequipment.

7. Call the nearest veterinary or health officers assoon as you find dead and sick birds withsuspected Avian Influenza infection. Listen tothem carefully and follow their instructions.Stop people and animals from coming in andout of the farm. The disposer needs thoroughprotective clothes (Fig. 4.2). Don’t leave deadbirds lying around.

WAYS TO PROMOTE COOPERATIONLook at your workplace and review your workprocedures. Identify the possible contact withpoultry wastes. Discuss with your family andneighbouring farmers how to avoid direct contactwith the poultry waste. Learn from existing goodpractices of other farmers.

SOME MORE HINTS1. Don’t mix poultry waste with other general

family and farm waste.

2. Place a special container to collect the waste atthe place where you slaughter poultry. Cleanand disinfect the floor, container, tools andtables used regularly.

3. Prepare poultry meat carefully in the slaughterprocedure and avoid the meat beingcontaminated with the poultry waste.

4. If you keep many chickens or ducks andhandle a large amount of waste regularly,purchase a bigger incinerator that can burnthe large amount of waste.

5. Workers handling poultry are to adopt goodpersonal hygiene and change clothes beforeand after handling poultry.

6. Wearable protective equipment (i.e. aprons,boots, clothes, gloves) should be washed anddisinfected on a daily basis.

CHECKPOINT 4Practice hygienic poultry disposal methods and waste management

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Collect and dispose of poultry wastecorrectly. Consult agricultural or veterinaryofficer in your area on how to collect anddispose of poultry waste.

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Figure 4.2 Follow the instruction of agricultural, veterinary and health officers when disposing of poultrysuspected of having Avian Influenza infection. Use bags and special containers to collect dead bodies of thepoultry and burn or bury them. The disposer must wear a N95 respirator mask, goggles, gloves, boots andprotective clothes to prevent infection. Stop people and animals from coming in and out by fencing the siteproperly.

Figure 4.1 Clean and disinfect your poultry farm and remove the waste properly after you sell the poultryand before the new poultry arrives. This will protect the next batch of your poultry from Avian Influenzainfection.

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BENEFITS FOR FARMERS/WORKERSYour swift reporting of bird diseases and deathshelps rapid responses of agricultural, veterinary, orhealth officers and prevents the spread of AvianInfluenza. Your report may prevent diseases inother poultry of the same village and othervillages. The swift preventive measures taken canincrease protection of your family and othervillagers.

It is important to know signs and symptoms ofbirds infected with Avian Influenza. Commonsymptoms are: weakness, shivering, red eyes, nasaland mouth discharge, bleeding spots in eyes,mouths or legs, etc. (Fig. 5.1). If you and yourfamily find these symptoms in your poultry,inform the village head or community volunteersimmediately.

HOW TO IMPROVE1. Know signs and symptoms of poultry infected

with Avian Influenza.

2. Observe your poultry carefully everyday. Don’tmiss early signs and symptoms of disease. Ifbirds are weak and less active or their eyecolour changes, inform agricultural, veterinaryor health officers of the news immediately.

3. Report suspected sick and dead birdsimmediately to the head of community,volunteers, agriculture/veterinary officers, and/or other concerned government authorities.Even if you are not sure if the disease is AvianInfluenza or not, still consult them.

4. When you or your family members have highfever and severe cold symptoms like coughing,sneezing, or general weakness, contact a doctoror a Primary Care Unit (PCU) in your villageimmediately.

5. If the patient has been in contact with poultry,wild birds or their waste, inform the doctor,PCU personnel health volunteers immediately.

The information is useful for proper diagnosisof the disease, and will allow for the patient toreceive the appropriate medical treatmentswiftly.

WAYS TO PROMOTE COOPERATIONStudy signs and symptoms of Avian Influenzawith other farmers and villagers. Localagricultural, veterinary and health officers willhelp you. Learn from prior cases on how poultryand people were infected with Avian Influenzaand how the people in the affected areas foughtagainst the disease. Discuss the ways to promoteimmediate reporting of the disease and mutualcooperation among farmers.

SOME MORE HINTS1. Know who health or husbandry volunteers are

in your village. They will assist you in properreporting.

2. Avian Influenza can infect not only farmersbut also sellers of bird eggs and meat whichare contaminated with the droppings of sickbirds. Help these sellers know the diseaseinformation.

3. When you are about to lose your poultry dueto Avian Influenza, you may get compensationor support from the government. Contact thegovernment office. You can also inform yourfarmer friends who have lost their poultry.

4. Don’t slaughter and sell meat of sick and deadbirds.

CHECKPOINT 5Report diseases swiftly

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Swift reporting and rapid response preventthe spread of Avian Influenza and minimizethe hazard.

23


Figure 5.1 Don’t approach sick and dead chickens. Guide children to stay away.

Chickens infected with Avian Influenza may show some of thefollowing signs: inability to walk and stand, ruffled feathers, loss ofappetite, difficulty in breathing, depression, bluish colouring ofwattles and comb, swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, hocks,diarrhoea, small bleedings (most visible on feet and shanks), suddenfall in egg production, efforts with laying eggs.

Figure 5.3 Learn early signs and symptoms inhuman cases of Avian Influenza.

Figure 5.2 Report immediately to nearestagricultural, veterinary or health officers,and/or other concerned governmentauthorities when you find suspected deadchickens, ducks, or other birds including wildbirds.

24


Annex 1Information sources

Avian Influenza Control CentreBureau of Disease Control and VeterinaryServicesDepartment of Livestock DevelopmentMinistry of Agriculture and Cooperatives69/1 Phayathai Road, RachatheviBangkok 10400Tel: 02 653 4444Fax: 02 653 4862 / 653 4929E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.dld.go.th/dcontrol/

Bureau of Emerging Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Disease ControlMinistry of Public HealthFloor 4, Building 8, Tiwanond RoadNonthaburi Province 11000Tel: 02 590 3157-9Website: http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th/th/index.php

Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO)Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP)Maliwan MansionPhra Atit RoadBangkok 10200Tel: 02 697 4000Fax: 02 697 4445Website (RAP): http://www.fao.org/world/regional/rap

Ministry of LabourMitmaitree Road, DindaengBangkok 10400Tel: 02 232 1421-2Website: http://www.mol.go.th

Office of the World Health Organization(WHO) Representative to Thailandc/o Ministry of Public HealthTiwanond Road, MuangNonthaburi 11000Tel: 02 590 1524Website: http://w3.whothai.org/en/index.htm

United Nations System InfluenzaCoordination (UNSIC)Asia-Pacific Regional HubUN OCHA Regional Office for Asia and thePacificExecutive Suite, 2nd Floor, UNCC BuildingRajdamnern Nok AvenueBangkok 10200Tel: 02 288 1234Website: http://www.influenza.undg.org,

http://un-influenza.org

World Orgaisation for Animal HealthOIE Sub-Regional Coordination Unit forSouth-East Asiac/o Department of Livestock DevelopmentMinistry of Agriculture & Cooperatives69/1 Phayathai Road, RachatheviBangkok 10400Tel: 02 653 4864Website: http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm

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Protecting Your Employees and Business from Pandemic Human Influenza


Action manual for farmers and poultry workers

The outbreak of avian influenza and the ongoing incidences of infected cases haveprompted worldwide concern. This training manual is developed to promote safepractices. The manual is user-friendly and practical, providing an Action Checkliston various prevention measures including explanations and descriptions. The uniqueparticipatory training methods of the ILO, Work Improvement in NeighbourhoodDevelopment (WIND) and Work Improvement in Small Enterprises (WISE), wereused to promote understanding and encourage improvements in the actions of farmersand poultry workers.

Contact Information:

ILO Subregional Office for East AsiaUnited Nations Building, 10th FloorRajdamnern Nok AvenueBangkok 10200, ThailandTel: +662 288 1234Fax: +662 288 3058Email: [email protected]/asia

ISBN: 9789221219521

protecting your health and business from avian influenza...the unique participatory training methods...

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