Three Presumptive Positive Poultry Workers Northeast Colorado - NOT

niman · Monday at 10:20 AM

Three new possible bird flu cases have been reported in Colorado among poultry workers.

These workers were handling infected poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado.

They exhibited mild symptoms including conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, and typical respiratory infection symptoms.

Thankfully, none of the individuals required hospitalization.

The state health department suspects that these cases are linked to direct contact with infected birds.

The CDC and state health officials are currently investigating the outbreak to understand its scope and ensure proper public health measures are in place.

https://www.longmontleader.com/colorado-news/3-new-cases-of-possible-bird-flu-reported-in-colorado-9925635

Edited Monday at 01:15 PM by niman

niman · Monday at 10:24 AM

3 New Cases of Possible Bird Flu Reported in Colorado

Andrea Ano
about 3 hours ago

pexels-magda-ehlers-pexels-1300375 — Photo by Magda Ehlers/Pexels

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State health officials in Colorado have identified three new possible cases of bird flu among poultry workers.

The cases are currently under investigation, and samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation.

New Cases of Bird Flu Among Poultry Workers

Three new possible bird flu cases have been reported in Colorado among poultry workers.

These workers were handling infected poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado.

They exhibited mild symptoms including conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, and typical respiratory infection symptoms.

Thankfully, none of the individuals required hospitalization.

The state health department suspects that these cases are linked to direct contact with infected birds.

The CDC and state health officials are currently investigating the outbreak to understand its scope and ensure proper public health measures are in place.

State and Federal Response to the Outbreak

In response to the outbreak, the CDC and state health officials are working closely to investigate the new bird flu cases.

The USDA has ordered nationwide testing of milk starting December 16 to monitor the virus’s spread in dairy cows.

This testing will begin in six states, including Colorado, which already has a state-mandated testing plan for bird flu in dairies.

The additional testing aims to provide better monitoring and containment of the virus.

Colorado’s existing program, which involves weekly bulk milk tank testing, aligns with USDA requirements to maintain an ongoing absence of bird flu in dairy cattle.

Impact on the Dairy Industry and Public Health

The dairy industry in Colorado, and nationwide, has expressed concerns about the economic impact of bird flu testing.

There is worry that the testing could affect milk prices and market stability.

However, pasteurization, a heat treatment process, remains effective in eliminating the virus from milk, ensuring it remains safe for public consumption.

Health officials continue to emphasize that the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.

Despite the detection of the virus in dairy cows, no direct evidence suggests that pasteurized milk poses a health risk.

The state and federal health authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread of the virus.

About the Author: Andrea Ano

State of Colorado Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Please note: This report covers incidences of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry flocks (both backyard and commercial) in Colorado.

New information is highlighted in BOLD ITALIC RED type.

Situation Reports will be released weekly on Fridays and available to the public.

Statewide Summary

Detections in Commercial/Backyard Flocks

Total number of affected counties = 17

Total number of affected premises = 39

Total number of birds affected in Colorado

Commercial chickens = 8,405,325

Backyard poultry = 1,763

Gamebirds = 15,801

Premises by County/Number of Flocks

Pitkin = 1 (Control area released)
Montrose = 2 (Premises quarantine released)
La Plata = 3 (Premises quarantine released)
Weld = 14 (Premises quarantine established)
Jefferson = 2 (Premises quarantine released)
Mesa = 1 (Control area released)
Boulder = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Larimer = 4 (Premises quarantine released)
Prowers = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Moffat = 2 (Premises quarantine released)
Arapahoe = 2 (Premises quarantine released)
Yuma = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Pueblo = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Routt = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Morgan = 2 (Premises quarantine established)
Bent = 1 (Premises quarantine released)
Delta = 1 (Premises quarantine released)

View all 2022-2024 Colorado HPAI Situation Reports

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mq_o36arhZ3jgO3FuxLSj-2Ar2r83y_504DrGKotsoY/edit?tab=t.0

niman · Monday at 10:44 AM

Colorado only lists Weld 14 backyard farm updated 11/15/24

niman · Monday at 10:51 AM

Colorado state health officials identify possible cases of avian flu in Colorado poultry workers

The risk to the public remains low; all cases had direct contact with infected animals

Denver (July 12, 2024) — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and State Emergency Operations Center, has identified three presumptive positive cases of avian influenza in workers responding to the avian flu outbreak at a commercial egg layer operation. CDPHE’s State Public Health Laboratory sent the specimens generating the preliminary results to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing. The workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals were hospitalized.

State public health officials have collected additional samples from symptomatic workers, which will be tested this weekend. State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC. On July 3, CDPHE identified a case of avian flu in a Colorado dairy worker.

It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry products. The proper handling and cooking of poultry, meat, and eggs kills bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses.

If you work with dairy cows or poultry that may have avian flu and you start to feel sick, seek medical care or call CDPHE at 303-692-2700 (after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). The Department can help you get a flu test and medicine if needed. More information about avian flu in humans is available at cdphe.colorado.gov/animal-related-diseases/hpai-h5n1.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-state-health-officials-identify-possible-cases-of-avian-flu-in-colorado

niman · Monday at 01:39 PM

3 new cases of possible bird flu reported in Colorado

Story by Lauren Irwin

• 4mo • 2 min read

State health officials in Colorado have identified three new possible cases of bird flu among poultry workers.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a release Friday that it had identified three presumptive positive cases of avian influenza in workers who were responding to an outbreak of the virus at a commercial egg operation.

The state agencies notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and sent the specimen to confirm that it is in fact bird flu.

“The workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and exhibited mind symptoms,” the release said.

Symptoms included conjunctivitis — commonly known as pink eye — and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals were hospitalized, the state said.

“State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry,” the release said.

The CDC is sending a team to Colorado to support an investigation, the federal agency said.

“As we learn more, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates,” the CDC said. “These preliminary results again underscore the risk of exposure to affected animals.”

Both agencies list the risk for the general public as low.

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