Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet for Farm Personnel

What is Coronavirus or COVID-19?

Coronavirus is a disease caused by a virus that mainly affects the lower respiratory tract such as the lungs and bronchi.

What population does it affect?

This virus affects people of all ages, but in people with a pre-existing medical condition or disease (for example, heart disease) and elderly (≥ 65 years old) the disease can be more severe and even cause death.

What symptoms does someone infected have?

Symptoms appear 2-14 days after being in contact with the virus. The most frequent symptoms are similar to those of a common cold:

• Moderate fever
• Exhaustion or lethargy
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Dry cough

As the disease progresses, these symptoms can become more severe and evolve to cause shortness of breath, and prolonged high fever. In more severe cases the person can die basically from severe shortness of breath.

What should I do if I have any of the symptoms of this disease?

The first thing to do if you have symptoms is to tell your manager and explain him the symptoms you have. The best thing to do is to Stay at Home and Avoid Contact with Other People, which is known as social distancing, for at least 14 days.

What is the treatment for this disease?

So far, there Is Not a specific treatment or vaccine to kill this virus. The indicated treatment consists of rest (Staying at Home), taking the medication indicated by the doctor to reduce fever or other symptoms, and staying hydrated (drinking plenty of fluids).

If You Have Any of the Following Symptoms, Please Contact the Manager or Contact Your Doctor Immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Inability to wake up
• Bluish lips or face

How can I get this disease?

This disease is spread from person to person through very small droplets that are expelled by Sneezing or Coughing or by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with these droplets. This virus can live in aerosols for up to 3 Hours and up to 3 Days on Metal and Plastic surfaces.

How can I prevent getting sick or family or coworkers from getting sick?

Here is a list of best practices to prevent the spread of this severe disease. The most important is to Stay Home if you have symptoms, Keep Proper Distance with your coworkers and others, Wash Your Hands after touching surfaces that may be contaminated and Avoid Attending Social or Family Events that hold numerous people.

Practices to Prevent Coronavirus:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after touching surfaces that
• may be contaminated (areas that many people touch daily such as doorknobs, tables, light knobs, etc.).
• Keep "one cow" (1.83 meters) distance from other people inside and outside the farm.
• Stay away from people who have symptoms (e.g., sneezing, cough, fever) of the disease.
• Do not touch your mouth, eyes, or nose with your hands (the virus enters your body through these places).
• Wear gloves during milking and change them regularly
• Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that many people touch daily (tables, handles, telephones, microwaves).
• Always cover your nose and mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Disinfect all parts you touch of tractors or forklifts during your work shift.
• Avoid sharing utensils such as glasses and dishes.

Who can help me if I have further questions about this virus or need to communicate with my manager?

Penn State Extension can help you communicate with your manager about this disease or other issues related to on-farm management practices. Please contact Dr. Barragan (phone: 814-863-5849; email: axb779@psu.edu) for more information.

References

CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NIH: New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces

Image credits: CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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