3 Colorado poultry workers identified as potential bird flu cases after outbreak at commercial egg facility

DENVER State health officials announced on Friday that three employees of a commercial egg-laying facility in northeastern Colorado had tested presumptively positive for bird flu. This highlights the urgency of controlling the virus, which has killed over 6 million birds and is currently infecting dairy cattle throughout the state.

The three additional cases, which the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not yet confirmed, would indicate that Colorado is leading the country not only in the quantity of bird flu outbreaks involving dairy cattle but also, and perhaps more significantly, in the quantity of H5N1 virus infections.

The three new cases, if verified by the CDC, would indicate that Colorado has now identified five H5N1 cases among dairy and poultry workers since the highly deadly avian influenza outbreak was initially discovered in the state in March 2022.

A representative for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said in an early Friday evening statement that the workers were culling chickens at a farm in northeastern Colorado and that they had mild symptoms, such as conjunctivitis, or pink eye, and “common respiratory infection symptoms.” The CDPHE statement did not specify the nature of those respiratory symptoms or indicate if the employees who were presumed positive for the virus had received antiviral therapy. Denver7 tried calling and emailing the department on Friday night, but no one was available to respond to their enquiries.

According to the spokesperson’s statement, none of the people were admitted to the hospital.

A CDC representative said in a statement, “These preliminary results once again underscore the risk of exposure to infected animals.” “There are no signs of unexpected increases in flu activity otherwise in Colorado, or in other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks in cows and poultry.”

“Human infections with this novel influenza virus (and others) are concerning because they have the potential to cause severe disease,” the statement said. These illnesses have the potential to spread like a pandemic, which is another reason they are worrying. A pandemic might be sparked if these viruses evolved to move quickly from person to person.”

Following its initial discovery of symptomatic workers at the poultry farm on Thursday, CDPHE tested seven people. A representative for the CDPHE sent an email to Denver7 on Friday night stating that 48 more workers who were exhibiting symptoms were tested when the team returned to the site on Friday. The representative went on, “The test results from the samples collected today (July 12) are still pending,” adding that the samples will be examined this weekend.

“State epidemiologists believe that working closely with diseased chickens is the cause of the illnesses among the poultry workers. The CDPHE released a statement stating, “The investigation is ongoing with support from the CDC.”

According to the CDPHE, these possible instances are related to the bird flu outbreak at an egg-laying farm in Weld County, where 1.8 million chickens had to be slaughtered.

A quarantine order has been imposed in certain areas of Weld County due to an outbreak at the egg-laying operation. The order restricts the movement of birds into and out of the area. Owners of backyard or commercial poultry within the quarantine area are requested to report the status of their flock using this online form.

According to a CDC representative, the agency is sending a team to Colorado to assist with their investigation, which will involve “looking into compliance with the recommended use of personal protective equipment.”

What defences are there against avian flu?

Although people who come into touch with sick livestock or poultry are more likely to contract the virus, state health experts say that there is little chance of bird flu for the general public.

The CDC reports that no evidence of avian flu spreading from person to person has been found thus far.

The leading public health organisation in the country advises farm workers who come into contact with cattle that are either confirmed or suspected to be infected with H5N1 to wear N95 respirators, disposable gloves, boots, or boot covers, vented safety goggles, or a face shield.

In order to lower their risk of contracting bird flu, the general public should stay away from sick birds and other animals, according to previous advice from state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy. Make sure you wear gloves, a high-quality mask (such as a KN95 or N95 respirator), and eye protection if you have to handle sick or dead birds or animals. Once you have handled the animal, make sure to bag it twice and dispose of it in your municipal trash can. Then, thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap. The CDC advises using an alcohol-based hand massage in the event that soap and water are not accessible.

According to CDC experts, people should also stay away from unprotected exposures to animal excrement, bedding (litter), unpasteurized milk, and objects that have come into contact with or been in close proximity to birds or other animals that are suspected or proven to have H5N1 infection.

Anyone who works with dairy cows or poultry and suspects they may have flu-like symptoms is advised to contact the state health department at 303-692-2700 (303-370-9395 after regular business hours). According to officials, the department can assist anybody who may have been exposed in getting a flu test and, if necessary, medication.

Is it possible to get avian flu from eating meat or drinking milk?

According to FDA experts, “because of the safeguards in place, which include testing of flocks and federal inspection programmes,” which mandate the disposal of eggs and meat from diseased birds, the risk that eggs will carry H5N1 is low. They claimed that preparation and storing of eggs properly “further reduce the risk.”

Because raw milk does not go through the pasteurisation process, which inactivates harmful viruses and bacteria, scientists are advising people to avoid raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk, even though the agency “does not know at this time if the HPAI H5N1 virus can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw milk and products made from raw milk from infected cows.”

Ground beef appears to be safe for consumption after USDA researchers discovered no live virus in retail meat samples from states with continuing outbreaks, despite the fact that Colorado isn’t testing swine or beef cattle for bird flu. At least three separate safety studies—one of which involved cooking the meat to differing degrees of preparedness—found no virus particles in beef cattle, leading the agency to declare itself confident in the safety of the meat supply.

Over 500 dairy workers were being watched by the CDPHE as of July 4th in case they were exposed to avian flu. Since March, when they may have come into contact with sick livestock or birds, over 70 people in Colorado have been tested for potential H5N1 exposure, according to a CDPHE representative.