Why are poultry farmers and slaughterhouse workers at greater risk of bird flu infection?

Poultry farmers and slaughterhouse workers are at the greatest risk of bird flu infection because their occupations require close, frequent contact with sick birds.12

The virus is transmitted from infected birds to humans through saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. In agricultural and processing environments, workers may be exposed to the virus through airborne, feces-contaminated dust and soil, or by handling contaminated equipment and surfaces. Because these individuals work in settings where poultry are kept in close proximity or processed in large numbers, the opportunity for direct exposure to the virus is significantly higher than for the general public.123

Ethically, it is imperative that industries prioritize the health and safety of these workers by implementing rigorous sanitary precautions, providing appropriate personal protective equipment, and maintaining strict disease-control protocols to minimize the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.13