DENVER — Three poultry workers at a commercial egg-laying facility in northeastern Colorado have tested presumed positive for avian influenza, state health officials announced Friday, underscoring the need to control a virus that has already killed more than 6 million birds and is now infecting dairy cows in the state.
The three additional cases, which have yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only put Colorado at the top of the nation for the number of infections; Avian influenza outbreak in dairy cowsBut what is more important is the number of people infected with the H5N1 virus.
If confirmed by the CDC, this will be the fifth case of H5N1 virus detected among poultry and dairy workers in Colorado since the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak began. It was first detected in the state in March 2022..
A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) spokesperson said in a statement Friday evening that the workers were culling poultry on a farm in northeastern Colorado and showed mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis and pink eye, as well as “common symptoms of respiratory infection.” The CDPHE statement did not provide details about the respiratory symptoms or whether antiviral treatment was administered to the workers who presumably tested positive for the virus. Denver 7 was unable to reach department representatives by phone and email Friday evening, but did not receive a response to those questions.
Neither was hospitalized, a spokesman said in a statement.
“These preliminary results again highlight the risk of contact with infected animals,” a CDC spokesperson said in a statement. “There are no indications of an unexpected increase in influenza activity in Colorado or other states with H5 avian influenza outbreaks in cattle or poultry.”
The statement continued, “Human infections with this new influenza virus (and other viruses) are of concern because they have the potential to cause severe disease. Another reason this type of human infection is of concern is that it could cause a pandemic. If these viruses were to change so that they could be transmitted easily from person to person, they could cause a pandemic.”
CDPHE first learned of symptomatic employees at the poultry plant on Thursday and tested seven people. On Friday, CDPHE returned to the site with a larger team to test an additional 48 symptomatic employees, a spokesperson said in an email to Denver 7 Friday night. “Test results are still pending for samples taken today (July 12),” the spokesperson added, saying those samples are expected to be tested this weekend.
“State epidemiologists suspect the poultry worker infections are the result of direct handling of infected poultry. An investigation is ongoing with the assistance of CDC,” the CDPHE statement said.
The potential cases are linked to an avian influenza outbreak at an egg farm in Weld County that led to the culling of 1.8 million chickens, according to CDPHE.
As a result of an outbreak at a Weld County egg farm; Quarantine Order Quarantines have been implemented in parts of Weld County to restrict the movement of birds in and out of the county, and commercial or backyard chicken owners within the quarantine areas are asked to report the status of their flocks through the quarantine. Online Form.
A CDC spokesman said the agency is sending a team to Colorado to assist with the investigation, which will include “examining compliance with recommended use of personal protective equipment.”
How can I protect myself from bird flu?
State health officials maintain that while the risk of the general public contracting bird flu is low, people who have come into contact with sick poultry or cattle are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
To date, there has been no confirmed case of human-to-human transmission of avian flu, according to the CDC.
The country’s top public health agency Recommendation Farm workers who come into contact with cattle suspected or confirmed to be infected with H5N1 should wear disposable fluid-resistant coveralls, disposable gloves, boots or boot covers, breathable safety goggles or face shield, and an N95 respirator.
State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy has previously said the public should avoid contact with sick birds and other animals to reduce the risk of contracting avian influenza. If you must handle sick or dead birds or animals, be sure to wear gloves, a high-quality mask, such as a KN95 or N95 respirator, and eye protection. After handling an animal, double-bag it and dispose of it in a municipal trash can, then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
CDC officials say people should also avoid unprotected exposure to animal feces, bedding, unpasteurized milk, or any material that has come into contact with or been in close proximity to birds or other animals suspected or confirmed to be infected with H5N1.
CDPHE advises anyone who works with dairy cattle or poultry who may have flu-like symptoms to call the state health department at 303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 outside regular business hours. Officials said the health department can help those who may be exposed get flu testing and medications, if needed.
Can you get bird flu by drinking milk or eating meat?
FDA officials Eggs may contain H5N1 The risk of infection is low because “safeguards, such as flock testing and federal inspection programs that require the destruction of infected poultry eggs and meat, are in place,” the researchers said. Proper storage and cooking of eggs “further reduces the risk,” they said.
“At present, it is not known whether the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw milk from infected cows or products made from raw milk,” the agency said, but scientists are Advise people to avoid raw milk Dairy products made from raw milk are safe because they do not undergo pasteurization, a process that inactivates harmful viruses and bacteria.
Colorado does not test pigs or beef cattle for avian flu, but it does test ground beef. It is considered safe to ingest USDA researchers found no live virus in samples of retail meat from affected states, and the agency said it was confident the meat supply was safe because at least three different safety studies had found no virus particles in beef cattle, and the studies included meat cooked using a variety of methods.
As of July 4, the Colorado Department of Public Health is monitoring more than 500 dairy workers for possible exposure to avian influenza. Since March, about 70 people in Colorado have been tested for possible exposure to H5N1 after coming into contact with infected birds or cattle, according to a Colorado Department of Public Health spokesperson.
Polis County declares disaster emergency after avian flu outbreak at Weld County commercial egg facility
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