The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that Colorado has identified three presumptive cases of H5 bird flu virus infection in poultry workers. These workers, who were involved in culling infected animals at a poultry facility experiencing an H5N1 bird flu outbreak, exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals required hospitalization.
State epidemiologists indicated that the infections likely occurred through direct contact with infected poultry. The CDC is dispatching a team to Colorado to support the investigation, emphasizing that the risk to the general public remains low.
Human infections with H5N1 avian flu are particularly concerning due to the potential for severe disease and the possibility of the virus mutating to spread easily from person to person, which could trigger a pandemic.
These cases are part of a widespread H5N1 bird flu outbreak affecting wild birds, poultry, and various mammals globally, including an outbreak in US dairy cows. Despite this, the CDC noted no unexpected increases in flu activity in Colorado or other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks.
Preliminary testing by Colorado officials indicated the three individuals were infected with a novel type of influenza, presumed to be bird flu. Samples have been sent to the CDC for confirmatory testing. If confirmed, these would be the fourth case of bird flu in Colorado and the seventh in the US since March.
The CDC stated that findings from the investigation would determine if any changes in guidance are necessary. Analyzing the virus sequences from this outbreak will also be crucial in assessing any changes in risk.
Current CDC recommendations regarding H5N1 remain unchanged. The agency advises avoiding close, prolonged, or unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other animals such as cows. Additionally, people should avoid unprotected exposure to animal feces, litter, unpasteurized or raw milk, or materials that have been in contact with animals suspected or confirmed to have bird flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that Colorado has identified three presumptive cases of H5 bird flu virus infection in poultry workers. These workers, who were involved in culling infected animals at a poultry facility experiencing an H5N1 bird flu outbreak, exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals required hospitalization.
State epidemiologists indicated that the infections likely occurred through direct contact with infected poultry. The CDC is dispatching a team to Colorado to support the investigation, emphasizing that the risk to the general public remains low.
Human infections with H5N1 avian flu are particularly concerning due to the potential for severe disease and the possibility of the virus mutating to spread easily from person to person, which could trigger a pandemic.
These cases are part of a widespread H5N1 bird flu outbreak affecting wild birds, poultry, and various mammals globally, including an outbreak in US dairy cows. Despite this, the CDC noted no unexpected increases in flu activity in Colorado or other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks.
Preliminary testing by Colorado officials indicated the three individuals were infected with a novel type of influenza, presumed to be bird flu. Samples have been sent to the CDC for confirmatory testing. If confirmed, these would be the fourth case of bird flu in Colorado and the seventh in the US since March.
The CDC stated that findings from the investigation would determine if any changes in guidance are necessary. Analyzing the virus sequences from this outbreak will also be crucial in assessing any changes in risk.
Current CDC recommendations regarding H5N1 remain unchanged. The agency advises avoiding close, prolonged, or unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other animals such as cows. Additionally, people should avoid unprotected exposure to animal feces, litter, unpasteurized or raw milk, or materials that have been in contact with animals suspected or confirmed to have bird flu.
