Health officials have confirmed that four poultry workers in Colorado have been diagnosed with bird flu, bringing the total number of human cases in the United States to nine since the current outbreak began in 2022. Notably, eight of these cases have occurred this year.
The workers experienced mild symptoms, including reddened and irritated eyes, fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, and runny nose. None of the individuals required hospitalization. Officials are also testing a fifth person who has exhibited similar symptoms, with results pending.
The affected workers were involved in culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado, where they had direct contact with infected birds. The outbreak underscores the occupational hazards faced by those working closely with infected livestock.
Since 2020, the H5N1 bird flu virus has been spreading among various mammals, including dogs, cats, skunks, bears, seals, and porpoises, across numerous countries. Earlier this year, the virus was detected in U.S. livestock and is now circulating in cattle across several states.
Despite these developments, health officials continue to stress that the threat to the general public remains low. The virus has not shown evidence of human-to-human transmission, but officials remain vigilant due to the potential severity of the virus, as earlier strains have been deadly to humans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a nine-person team to Colorado to assist with the investigation, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need for thorough monitoring and response.
Earlier this year, cases of bird flu were reported among dairy farm workers in Michigan, Texas, and Colorado, all of whom had direct contact with infected birds. The virus detected in the latest cases appears to be similar to the type found in previous U.S. cases, though further genetic analysis is underway to confirm this.
As of Friday, the U.S. Agriculture Department has confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in 152 dairy herds across 12 states. Additionally, hundreds of commercial poultry flocks in over 30 states have reported cases of H5N1 or other types of bird flu.
Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and are emphasizing the importance of safety measures for workers who are in direct contact with potentially infected animals. These measures are crucial in preventing further transmission and protecting public health.
