The individuals who worked in an egg layer facility in Colorado were confirmed to have H5N1 and they have reported mild symptoms without hospitalizations.
State epidemiologists in Colorado suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry.
Image credit: Brooke Cagle, Unsplash
As of this past Sunday, there are 5 new cases of avian influenza in workers from a commercial egg layer operation in northeast Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 4 of the cases, and 1 additional case is presumptive positive and pending confirmation at CDC.1
The workers were culling poultry at a farm in and exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals were hospitalized.1 State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC.1
For those who work with cows or poultry in Colorado and that may have avian flu and 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 people get a flu test and medicine if needed.
As of this past Sunday, 5 new cases of avian influenza were reported among workers from a commercial egg layer operation in northeast Colorado.
The affected workers were culling poultry and exhibited mild symptoms, such as conjunctivitis and respiratory infection symptoms.
Less than 2 weeks ago, the fourth human case in the US was confirmed, also in Colorado, involving a worker who had contact with dairy cattle.
Less than 2 weeks ago the fourth human case in the US was confirmed, also in Colorado, in a worker who had contact with dairy cattle. This would account for 9 total confirmed cases in the US. It has only been in farm and agricultural workers who handle cows and poultry thus far. And in all the cases, everyone has had mild symptoms—mostly conjunctivitis with some respiratory distress.
CDC is actively surveilling avian influenza cases across the US. “Human infections with non-human influenza A viruses that are different from currently spreading seasonal human influenza viruses, are nationally notifiable,” writes the federal agency on their site. Every case is reported to and investigated by CDC.2
“CDC is actively looking at multiple flu indicators during the current situation to monitor for influenza A(H5N1) viruses, including looking for spread of the virus to, or among people, in jurisdictions where the virus has been identified in people or animals,” the federal agency writes on its site.2
To learn more about CDC’s efforts, interested readers can go here.
According to the FDA, 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. The federal agency reports there continues to be no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market.3
It is important to note, no consumers of poultry, eggs, or meat have been sickened.
