A team from the CDC has been dispatched to Colorado in response to the detection of four new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 bird flu) among humans. These cases, reported over the weekend, bring the total number of confirmed cases to five, with an additional case pending confirmation.
The infections occurred among farm workers involved in the depopulation of poultry at a facility experiencing an outbreak of the H5N1 virus. The CDC team is assisting in assessing both the poultry outbreak and the associated human cases.
Despite the new cases, the CDC maintains that the risk to the public remains low based on current information. The agency underscores the potential for exposure to infected animals as a primary mode of transmission.
There have been no significant increases in flu activity reported in Colorado or other affected states beyond the expected patterns associated with H5 bird flu outbreaks in livestock.
Before this recent spike, there had been five previously reported human cases in the U.S., four of which were linked to exposure to dairy cows between April and July, and one to poultry exposure in late April. The total number of U.S. cases has now doubled with the latest confirmations in Colorado.
In response to the situation, Colorado requested CDC assistance to aid in ongoing investigations. All individuals who tested presumptive positive for H5N1 reported mild symptoms and were directly involved in poultry depopulation efforts at the affected facility.
The CDC advises the public to avoid unprotected contact with potentially contaminated materials such as animal waste, raw milk, or items touched by infected birds or animals.
To mitigate further risks, the CDC has issued interim recommendations on preventive measures, monitoring, and public health investigations related to H5N1 infections. Updated guidelines on worker protection and personal protective equipment (PPE) use are emphasized to minimize individual risks and contain the overall public health threat posed by the virus.
