The highly pathogenic (= very pathogenic) avian influenza virus H5N8 is the cause of bird flu
(HPAI = highly pathogenic avian influenza). In South Korea, there were about 30 outbreaks from the beginning of 2014, in the course of which about 12 million animals were killed. In the meantime, however, cases have also occurred in Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain and in turkeys, laying hens and fattening ducks as farm animal species.
Bird Flu Protective Clothing
According to information from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the H5N8 virus is currently apparently not able to overcome the species barrier. This means that a threat to public health is considered very low. Nevertheless, suitable protective clothing is absolutely necessary. If reusable protective clothing is used, it must be decontaminated and disinfected after use. When using disposable clothing, it must be disposed of harmlessly immediately after use.
Virus H5N8 Protective Clothing
Particular attention must be paid to putting on and taking off protective clothing. The following protective clothing is suitable:
• Disposable overalls Cat. 3, Type 3B, 4, 5 and 6, e.g. Protec Maxx
• or: disposable overalls Cat. 3, Type 4B, 5 and 6, e.g. Multi Pro
• FFP3 respirator with valve according to EN 149:2001 A1:2009
• Full vision goggles, anti-fog, according to EN 166
• Reusable, liquid-tight gloves made of latex, category 3 according to EN 374, e.g. Sempertip or Allprotec Yellow-Care
• or reusable, liquid-tight latex/neoprene gloves, category 3 according to EN 374, e.g. Allprotec Bicolor-Neo
• Disposable latex gloves, e.g. Semperguard Latex IC
• or disposable nitrile gloves, e.g. Semperguard Nitrile Xpert
• Overboots, according to CE category 3, possibly also overboots, according to CE category 1
When using such clothing, good protection against viral infection from the bird flu virus is given.