Avian Influenza: Shopping for personal protection equipment

As the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak spreads across dairy, federal officials recommend that dairy industry employees whose duties expose them to raw milk should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Such employees include those milking cows, milk haulers, and dairy processing plant employees who come in contact with raw milk.

To date, three dairy farm employees have confirmed cases of avian influenza.

Dairy is an immense industry. On a daily basis, it’s easy to imagine PPE needs for tens of thousands of individuals employed by the dairy industry if PPE recommendations were closely followed. Some employers and employees may follow PPE recommendations, others will not.

Where to purchase PPE items? Nelson-Jameson (Marshfield, Wisconsin) supplies a full array of products used by dairy and food processing firms – from cheese cultures to laboratory testing equipment. Nelson-Jameson offers a complete line of PPE equipment: disposable coveralls, N95 respirators, protection for head, eye and face, gloves and footwear.