AVIAN INFLUENZA, HUMAN – USA (05): (COLORADO) H5N1, 3 CASES, EGG FARM
WORKERS
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Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
Press Release [edited] https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-state-health-officials-identify-possible-cases-of-avian-flu-in-colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in
coordination with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and State
Emergency Operations Center, has identified 3 presumptive positive
cases of avian influenza in workers responding to the avian flu
outbreak at a commercial egg layer operation. CDPHE’s State Public
Health Laboratory sent the specimens generating the preliminary
results to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for
confirmatory testing. The workers were culling poultry at a farm in
northeast Colorado and exhibited mild symptoms, including
conjunctivitis (pink eye) and common respiratory infection symptoms.
None of the individuals were hospitalized.
State public health officials have collected additional samples from
symptomatic workers, which will be tested this weekend. State
epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of
working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing
with support from CDC. On 3 Jul 2024, CDPHE identified a case of avian
flu in a Colorado dairy worker.
It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry products. The
proper handling and cooking of poultry, meat, and eggs kills bacteria
and viruses, including avian flu viruses.
If you work with dairy cows or poultry that may have avian flu and you
start to feel sick, seek medical care or call CDPHE at 303-692-2700
(after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). The Department can help
you get a flu test and medicine if needed. More information about
avian flu in humans is available at
.