CDC Bird Flu Warning Expanded to Zoo Workers, Others

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its Jan. 10 Humans can be infected with avian influenza A viruses, such as viruses that cause H5N1 bird flu, when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. interim guidance on protecting workers from exposure to bird flu to include employees at zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, aquariums and wildlife rehabilitation facilities, among other settings.
Earlier guidance warned workers on dairy farms could face a transmission risk when exposed to cows infected with bird flu, as well raw milk and other animal materials that are contaminated or potentially contaminated.
Humans can be infected with avian influenza A viruses, such as viruses that cause H5N1 bird flu, when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled, according to the guidance.
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A lack of fall protection and failing to ensure safe trench excavations led to sizable initial fines for several contractors in the fourth quarter, Construction Dive reported.
Five contractors face fines of more than $250,000, including: RRC Home Improvement, with $328,545 in initial fines across three inspections; Fino Exterior, with $302,935 in initial fines across four inspections; and, 595 Construction, facing $287,465 in initial fines across three inspections.
OSHA regularly publicizes when it issues large fines, as a means of showing its regulatory power and calling attention to violations, according to the report.
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Three of five investigators staffing NIOSH’s Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program were fired as well as workers who maintain the National Firefighter Cancer Registry by Trump administration staffers, industry website Firehouse reported on Thursday.
The program was created by Congress to decrease the risk of firefighters dying in the line of duty.
The workers at the Cancer Registry compile and analyze voluntarily provided information to track and combat cancer deaths among firefighters.
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New York Governor Kathleen Hochul signed an amendment to the state’s Retail Worker Safety Act, that made several key changes that take effect on June 2, 2025
The amendment modifies employer coverage by requiring businesses with 500 or more retail employees statewide (previously nationwide) to provide each retail employee with a silent response button for immediate assistance from a security officer, manager, or supervisor (previously law enforcement) in case of an emergency. The button may be installed in an accessible location, in a wearable, or on mobile phone.
It also adjusts training requirements so that employers with fewer than 50 retail employees must provide workplace violence prevention training upon hire and once every two years (previously required annually).
The amendment also directs the commissioner to develop model workplace violence prevention program templates in the 12 most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficient individuals in New York state.
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