Colorado Confirms Presumptive H5 Bird Flu Cases in Poultry Workers, CDC Investigates
July 12, 2024 – Colorado health officials have announced three presumptive positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) – commonly known as H5 bird flu – in individuals involved in poultry depopulation efforts. The individuals, all workers at a facility experiencing a current H5N1 outbreak, reported mild symptoms.Samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation.
In response to a request from the state, the CDC is deploying a team to Colorado to assist with the ongoing investigation. While these are the first confirmed cases in Colorado, they occur amidst broader outbreaks of the H5N1 virus affecting wild birds, dairy cows, and poultry in multiple states.
currently, the CDC assesses the risk to the general public as low. Officials emphasize they will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more facts becomes available. These cases highlight the potential for exposure when working with infected animals. There have been no unusual increases in overall flu activity reported in Colorado or other affected states.
Human infections with avian influenza viruses are a concern due to their potential to cause severe illness and, more broadly, their pandemic potential.While the virus currently does not exhibit characteristics that would facilitate easy human-to-human transmission, ongoing monitoring for genetic changes is crucial.
the CDC’s existing recommendations regarding H5 bird flu remain unchanged. The investigation will focus on determining if adjustments to current guidance are necessary, including an assessment of adherence to recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols. Historically,the majority of human H5 infections have occurred in individuals who did not utilize recommended PPE. Analysis of the virus’s genetic sequence from this outbreak will also be conducted to evaluate if a revised risk assessment is warranted.
The CDC recommends the following preventative measures:
* Avoid close contact with sick or deceased animals, including wild birds, poultry, and other domesticated or wild animals (including cows).
* Avoid unprotected contact with animal waste, bedding materials, raw milk, or any surfaces potentially contaminated by birds or animals suspected or confirmed to have the A(H5N1) virus.
Detailed guidance on prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations is available on the CDC website: http://tools.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/hpai-interim-recommendations.html. Specific recommendations for worker protection and PPE use can be found here: http://tools.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html.Following these guidelines is vital for minimizing individual risk and controlling the broader public health impact.
