CNN — Colorado has been linked to a new human case of the highly dangerous H5 avian flu, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday.
Five human cases of bird flu have been found in poultry workers who are thought to have contracted the virus through direct contact with infected birds, according to a statement released on Sunday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. One more employee from this cohort is the source of the most recent case.
The workers had engaged in the practice of culling birds, which involves removing or killing diseased animals on a selective basis in order to stop the spread of the illness. The CDC reports that all exposed workers have been administered antiviral medicine and that the six affected individuals have suffered moderate symptoms such as pink eye and respiratory problems.
According to the FDA, genetic sequencing of a sample from one of the Colorado cases reveals a close resemblance to the initial human case of bird flu found in Michigan, indicating that the virus has not changed as a result of antiviral resistance. This research is “reassuring,” it stated on Friday.
An industrial hygienist, veterinarians, epidemiologists, and physicians make up the CDC field team that is supporting Colorado’s outbreak investigation.
As of April, the CDC reports that 10 human cases of avian influenza have been documented in the US; four of these cases are related to contact with sick dairy cows, while the remaining six are related to contact with infected poultry. The most recent Colorado instance is included in the confirmation on Friday.
Since April, the virus has impacted 18.32 million birds from 16 backyard flocks and 34 commercial flocks. A growing number of infected cattle are being reported by the US Department of Agriculture, with 157 dairy cow herds in 13 states having confirmed cases.
The groups claim that they are attempting to address the ongoing “public health challenge” that the multistate avian flu pandemic poses. The entire sequencing of the virus that was discovered has been made public as part of this endeavor so that experts in the US and other countries can examine it.
The CDC continues to rate humans at low risk for the general public.
According to the Colorado Health Department, poultry products are still safe to consume if they have been prepared and cooked correctly. Everyone should avoid prolonged or intimate contact with sick or dead animals, animal waste, or animal bedding, according to the CDC. Because raw or unpasteurized milk can be contaminated, experts advise against ingesting it.
