In Partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Wabasha County Public Health provided Flu Vaccine to local residents. During the clinic nurses from Public Health and staff from MDH provided vaccine and education on staying healthy during respiratory illness season in Minnesota. Farmworkers and farm owners, particularly those who work on poultry and dairy farms, may be exposed to H5N1 influenza (also called avian influenza or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)). Routine service providers for farms such as veterinarians, truck drivers, and hoof trimmers, as well as family members who live on the farm, may also be exposed to H5N1. Rosa Perez, MDH Farmworker Liaison states “this is a call to action for farmers, to support their workers by having them vaccinated.” Ms. Perez provided education on H5N1 including personal protective equipment. Currently with H5N1 there is a low health risk to the public as person-to-person transmission of avian influenza viruses is very rare.
