Colorado state health officials confirm 9 cases of H5 & H5N1 avian flu in Colorado poultry workers (and one dairy worker = 10 (total for state) - July 12+

[Treyfish]

Colorado has tested 55 symptomatic poultry workers as of Friday

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

[Treyfish]

Three presumptive positive cases of avian flu identified in Colorado

By Aspen Andrews
Published: Jul. 12, 2024 at 8:36 PM EDT|Updated: 51 minutes ago
DENVER (KKTV) - The Colorado Department of Public Health identified three presumptive positive cases of avian influenza in poultry workers.

Health officials said the preliminary results were being sent to the CDC for further testing to confirm.

They said all three worked at a poultry farm at a commercial egg layer operation in northeast Colorado.

According to health officials, they all exhibited mild symptoms, including pink eye and respiratory infection symptoms. None of them were hospitalized.

It is believed that the cases are a result of working directly with the infected poultry, but the investigation is ongoing.…

https://www.kktv.com/2024/07/13/three-presumptive-positive-cases-avian-flu-identified-colorado/

[Treyfish]

3 Colorado workers at commercial egg facility presumed to have avian flu


by: Heather Willard

Posted: Jul 12, 2024 / 06:55 PM MDT

Updated: Jul 12, 2024 / 06:55 PM MDT SHARE

DENVER (KDVR) — Three presumptive positive cases of avian flu have been identified in workers at a commercial egg layer operation in Weld County.

So far, the three workers at the egg-laying farm have exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of them have been hospitalized.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said the workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and said they suspect the cases were a result of working directly with infected poultry. The department also noted that the risk to members of the public is still low: All cases in humans have been after the infected individuals came in direct contact with infected animals.

One case of avian flu was identified in a man working at a northeastern Colorado dairy farm earlier this month. Officials said he exhibited only symptoms of pink eye, or conjunctivitis, and recovered from the infection, but also noted he had direct exposure to dairy cattle that were infected with avian flu.

Northeast Colorado is where the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state this year was detected on April 25, when dairy cattle were found to have highly pathogenic avian influenza. The outbreak has led to at least 10 facilities being placed in quarantine.

The infected egg-laying farm, which has about 1.8 million chickens, prompted Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster emergency declaration on July 5 for the H5N1 avian flu outbreak in Weld County. State health officials told FOX31’s Matt Mauro that all of the birds would be culled to prevent the spread of the virus.....

https://kdvr.com/news/health/3-colorado-workers-at-commercial-egg-facility-presumed-to-have-avian-flu/

[Treyfish]

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

State health officials did not say whether the poultry workers were connected with recent outbreak at egg facility in Weld County
Posted: 7:47 PM, Jul 12, 2024

Updated: 9:55 PM, Jul 12, 2024
By: Óscar Contreras

DENVER — Three Colorado poultry workers at a commercial egg-laying facility in northeast Colorado have tested presumptive positive for bird flu, state health officials said Friday, underscoring the need to get a virus that’s already killed more than 6 million birds and which is now infecting dairy cattle across the state under control.

The three additional cases — which have yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — would mean Colorado isn’t just leading the nation in the number of bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle, but more importantly, in the number of people infected by the H5N1 virus.

In their statement Friday, state health officials also said they collected “additional samples from symptomatic workers, which will be tested this weekend,” but did not clarify whether those samples were collected from the three workers identified as presumptive positive cases, or whether additional samples were collected from other symptomatic workers.....


“State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC,” according to the statement from the CDPHE.

As it stands now, it is not clear if these potential cases are connected to the bird flu outbreak at a Weld County egg-laying operation where 1.8 million chickens had to be culled, or if it’s connected to a separate outbreak which the Colorado Department of Agriculture has yet to identify.

.....
The CDC is sending a team to Colorado to support their investigation, the CDC spokesperson said, which will include "looking into compliance with the recommended use of personal protective equipment.".....

https://www.denver7.com/news/state-news/3-colorado-poultry-workers-identified-as-potential-bird-flu-cases-after-outbreak-at-commercial-egg-facility

[Treyfish]

Colorado Reports Three Presumptive Positive H5 Cases in Poultry Workers


CDC Standing by to Confirm Specimens, Sending Team to Support State Investigation

Print
Press Release
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2024
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

July 12, 2024 – The state of Colorado has announced that three people have tested presumptive positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) (“H5 bird flu”) virus infection. Specimens have been sent to CDC for confirmatory testing. All of the people who tested presumptive positive experienced mild symptoms and were workers who were involved in the depopulation of poultry at a poultry facility experiencing an outbreak of the H5N1 virus that is circulating in wild birds and has been causing multistate outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry. At the state’s request, CDC is sending a team to Colorado to support their investigation, which is ongoing.

CDC’s current risk assessment for the general public remains low. As we learn more, we will continue to assess the situation and provide updates. These preliminary results 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 of the potential to cause severe disease. The other reason these types of human infections are concerning is because of their pandemic potential. If these viruses were to change to spread easily from person-to-person, it could trigger a pandemic, though, to date, we have not seen genetic changes in the virus that would make it more likely to transmit between humans.

CDC’s recommendations related to H5 have not changed at this time. Findings from the investigation will inform whether guidance changes are needed. The investigation will include looking into compliance with the recommended use of personal protective equipment. Historically, most human cases of bird flu infection have happened in people who are not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. An analysis of the virus sequences from this outbreak also will be important to determine if a change in the risk assessment is warranted.

CDC Recommendations

• People should avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).
• People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized (“raw”) milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.
• CDC has interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of A(H5N1) virus infections in people. CDC also has updated recommendations for worker protection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Following these recommendations is central to reducing a person’s risk and containing the overall public health risk.

Last Reviewed: July 12, 2024

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2...-cases-h5.html

[Treyfish]

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

Poultry workers were connected with recent outbreak at egg facility in Weld County; 57 symptomatic tested by CDPHE as of Friday
Posted: 7:47 PM, Jul 12, 2024

Updated: 10:18 PM, Jul 12, 2024
By: Óscar Contreras

Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency following the latest avian flu outbreak at a commercial egg facility in Weld County.
DENVER — Three Colorado poultry workers at a commercial egg-laying facility in northeast Colorado have tested presumptive positive for bird flu, state health officials said Friday, underscoring the need to get a virus that’s already killed more than 6 million birds and which is now infecting dairy cattle across the state under control.

The three additional cases — which have yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — would mean Colorado isn’t just leading the nation in the number of bird flu outbreaks among dairy cattle, but more importantly, in the number of people infected by the H5N1 virus.


If confirmed by the CDC, the three additional cases would mean Colorado has now detected five cases of H5N1 among poultry and dairy workers since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in the state in March of 2022.

In a statement early Friday evening, a spokesperson with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said the workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, or pink eye, as well as “common respiratory infection symptoms.” The statement from the CDPHE did not expand on what those respiratory symptoms were and Denver7 was not able to reach anyone from the department by phone or email Friday evening.

None of the individuals were hospitalized, the spokesperson said in the statement.

.......

In their statement Friday, state health officials also said they collected “additional samples from symptomatic workers, which will be tested this weekend." In all, the CDPHE tested 55 symptomatic poultry workers, but results from those tests are still pending, a spokesperson said in an email to Denver7 Friday evening.

“State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC,” according to the statement from the CDPHE.

These potential cases are connected to the bird flu outbreak at a Weld County egg-laying operation where 1.8 million chickens had to be culled, according the CDPHE.

As a result of outbreak at the Weld County egg-laying operation, a quarantine order is now in place in parts of Weld County in order to limit the movement of birds in and out of the area, and commercial or backyard poultry owners in the quarantine area were being asked to report the status of their flock through this online form.

The CDC is sending a team to Colorado to support their investigation, the CDC spokesperson said, which will include "looking into compliance with the recommended use of personal protective equipment......

People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 infection, CDC officials said.

The CDPHE is advising anyone who works with dairy cows or poultry who may have flu-like symptoms, to call the state health department at 303-692-2700 (after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). Officials said the department can help those potentially exposed get a flu test and medicine if needed. ......


Though Colorado isn't testing swine and beef cattle for bird flu, ground beef appears to be safe for consumption after USDA researchers found no live virus in retail meat samples from states with ongoing outbreaks. The agency said it was confident that the meat supply was safe after at least three different safety studies found no viral particles in beef cattle, including one in which the meat was cooked to varying degrees of preparedness.

As of July 4, the CDPHE was monitoring more than 500 dairy workers for possible exposure to bird flu. Nearly 70 people in Colorado have been tested for possible exposure to H5N1 after coming in contact with infected birds or cattle since March, the CDPHE spokesperson said....

https://www.denver7.com/news/state-n...l-egg-facility

[Treyfish]

the reporter from Denver 7


Óscar A. Contreras

@oscarcontrarius
The state first learned about symptomatic workers Thursday and tested 7 people. They then came back with a larger team today (Friday) and tested 48 additional symptomatic workers. The test results of those 48 samples "will be tested this weekend," per a CDPHE spokesperson.
12:42 AM · Jul 13, 2024
·
598
Views

[Pathfinder]

Colorado identifies three new human cases of bird flu and more people are symptomatic
...
John Ingold
7:25 AM MDT on Jul 13, 2024

Three poultry workers tested positive for bird flu and more who showed symptoms of infection are being tested, state health officials announced Friday evening.

The outbreak of human cases, if confirmed, is the largest in the United States from the strain of bird flu — also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza — currently circulating across the globe.

The workers who tested positive were responding to an outbreak of bird flu at a commercial egg-laying operation in Weld County, where nearly 1.8 million chickens were being culled following the virus’s discovery. None of the workers required hospitalization. Their symptoms ranged from pink eye to what the state described in a news release as “common respiratory infection symptoms.”

Samples taken from the workers tested positive at the state lab. They have now been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for official confirmation.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment wrote in a news release that “additional samples from symptomatic workers” will be tested over the weekend.
...

https://coloradosun.com/2024/07/13/colorado-three-new-casees-bird-flu/

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See also:
Colorado: 2023-2024 Avian flu in poultry

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/united-states/h5n1-tracking-af/colorado/980695-colorado-2023-2024-avian-flu-in-poultry

[Treyfish]

Colorado confirms four human bird flu infections, fifth suspected

By Reuters
July 14, 2024 11:49 PM EDT Updated 19 min ago

July 14 (Reuters) - Colorado reported four confirmed infections of H5N1 bird flu virus in poultry workers, and is checking on the status of a fifth suspected case, health authorities said on Sunday.....

The CDC has confirmed four of the Colorado cases, the state's public health department said, with a fifth pending confirmation by the agency, which is supporting further investigation of the matter.
"Samples for a fifth worker were presumptive positive at the state laboratory on Saturday and will be sent to CDC for confirmation,"...

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/colorado-confirms-four-human-bird-flu-infections-fifth-suspected-2024-07-15/?taid=66949ecdc51e760001b06fbc&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

[Treyfish]

Health officials confirm human cases of avian flu in Colorado poultry workers

CDC confirms avian flu cases that the state first reported on Friday

Denver (July 14, 2024) — In coordination with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the State Emergency Operations Center, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is now reporting a total of five human cases of avian influenza in workers responding to the avian flu outbreak at a commercial egg layer operation. CDC has confirmed four of the cases, and one additional case is presumptive positive and pending confirmation at CDC.

Three of these five cases confirmed by CDC are from the samples that CDPHE’s State Public Health Laboratory sent CDC on Friday, July 12 for confirmatory testing. The fourth case was an additional presumptive detected by the State Lab late Friday evening and has been confirmed by CDC. Samples for a fifth worker were presumptive positive at the State Lab on Saturday, July 13 and will be sent to CDC for confirmation. No additional test results are pending at this time.

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 were hospitalized. State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC.

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/health-officials-confirm-human-cases-of-avian-flu-in-colorado-poultry-workers

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[Treyfish]

US Health Officials Confirm 4 New Bird Flu Cases, in Colorado Poultry Workers

By The Associated Press
July 14, 2024
Four poultry workers in Colorado have been diagnosed with bird flu, health officials confirmed Sunday.

The new cases bring the U.S. total to nine since the first human case of the current outbreak was detected in 2022, also in a Colorado poultry worker. Eight of the nine were reported this year.

Their illnesses were relatively mild — reddened and irritated eyes and common respiratory infection symptoms like fever, chills, coughing, sore throat and runny nose. None were hospitalized, officials said. The other U.S. cases have also been mild.

A fifth person with symptoms is undergoing testing, but those results are not back yet, officials said. The workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado, according to state health officials. All had direct contact with infected birds.....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent a nine-person team to Colorado to help in the investigation, at the state’s request, CDC officials said.

This cases earlier this year were among dairy farm workers in Michigan, Texas and Colorado.

The virus detected in the four latest cases is least partly identical to the type found in the earlier U.S. cases, but further genetic analysis is underway to make sure it’s exactly the same, officials said....

https://www.ntd.com/us-health-officials-confirm-4-new-bird-flu-cases-in-colorado-poultry-workers_1004782.html

[Pathfinder]

CDC Confirms Human Cases of H5 Bird Flu Among Colorado Poultry Workers

Press Release
For Immediate Release: July 14, 2024
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

July 14, 2024 – Four human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) (“H5 bird flu”) virus infection in the state of Colorado have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes all three presumptive-positive cases reported by that state on Friday, July 12 and a fourth specimen that was later found to be presumptive-positive by the state on Friday. CDC also is aware of an additional (fifth) presumptive-positive case in Colorado that will be confirmed at CDC once the specimen arrives. All cases were in farm workers who were involved in the depopulation of poultry at a poultry facility experiencing an outbreak of HPAI H5N1 virus. A CDC team is on the ground in Colorado, supporting their assessment of the poultry outbreak and associated human cases. Given current information, CDC believes that the risk to the public from this outbreak remains low. These cases again underscore the risk of exposure to infected animals. There are no unexpected increases in flu activity otherwise in Colorado, or in other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks in cows and poultry.

Background on Cases

These workers reported symptoms after being exposed to H5N1 virus-infected poultry. All workers who tested positive reported mild illness. The workers reported conjunctivitis and eye tearing, as well as more typical flu symptoms of fever, chills, coughing and sore throat/runny nose. Additional cases may be reported and subsequently confirmed as monitoring and testing is ongoing.

CDC has deployed a multidisciplinary bilingual field team of nine people including epidemiologists, veterinarians, clinicians and an industrial hygienist to Colorado to support their public health response to the outbreak among poultry farm workers. There is ongoing monitoring of workers as part of this assessment and additional specimens are being tested – work that is a continuation of the close partnership between human and animal public health officials at the local, state and Federal levels.

These are the first cases of H5 virus infection in poultry workers (as opposed to dairy workers) since 2022. The first ever U.S. case of H5 in a poultry worker was reported in Colorado during April 2022. On July 3, 2024, Colorado also reported a case of H5 in a dairy worker on an affected farm, so that state is experiencing ongoing H5N1 outbreaks on dairy and poultry farms.

The designation of the influenza virus neuraminidase (the N in the subtype) is pending influenza genetic sequencing at CDC. Attempts to sequence the virus in the clinical specimens are underway and will be made available within 1-2 days if successful. Additional analysis will look for any genetic changes to the virus that could alter the agency’s risk assessment.

CDC’s recommendations related to H5 have not changed at this time. An assessment of these cases will help inform whether this situation warrants a change to the human health risk assessment.

CDC has more than 170 staff deployed to the agency’s H5N1 Response. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p-0715-confirm-h5.html

[Treyfish]

Colorado health officials have given us new details about the 5 human cases of H5N1 bird flu. • Another 16 symptomatic workers were tested yesterday • In total: 69 symptomatic workers, 5 positive so far • Test results still pending • Antiviral medication given to 150 workers

[Treyfish]

Six Colorado workers contracted bird flu, the most human cases in a state


Excessive heat made it hard for poultry workers to wear goggles and masks while culling chickens on a farm with an H5N1 outbreak

By Lena H. Sun
July 16, 2024 at 4:24 p.m. EDT
Bird flu has infected six farmworkers in Colorado this month — the most in any state — as....

During a news briefing Tuesday, federal officials said temperatures soaring above 104 degrees made it difficult for workers to wear the required full-body suits, goggles and N95 masks to protect them from the virus.

“The barns in which the culling operations occur were no doubt even hotter,” said Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Large-scale industrial fans were used to help cool the barns, but they also spread feathers around, which are known to carry virus, he said. The culling method involved extensive interaction with infected birds, requiring workers to put chickens in carts that kill them with carbon dioxide gas.

The culling on the poultry farm in Weld County involves 160 workers and will continue for another 10 to 14 days to prevent further spread among the flock, said Eric Deeble, a senior official at the U.S. agriculture department overseeing the bird flu response.About 55 poultry workers with symptoms have been tested, Shah said. All were negative for bird flu except for the five workers. Four have been confirmed by the CDC; one presumed positive case is pending confirmation.

An additional 16 symptomatic poultry workers were tested Monday and are awaiting results, according to Colorado health officials......

The CDC is not recommending livestock workers be vaccinated ....


https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...o-poultry-cow/

[Treyfish]

Colorado is rocked by outbreak of H5N1 bird flu - weeks after confirming the plague

• READ MORE: CDC admits bird flu has 'pandemic potential'

By NIKKI MAIN SCIENCE REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 13:58 EDT, 16 July 2024 | UPDATED: 16:52 EDT, 16 July 2024

Nearly 70 Colorado-based poultry workers have symptoms of the avian bird flu, marking the largest outbreak to date, the CDC revealed today.

There were three cases confirmed to have H5N1, also known as avian influenza, on Friday and 16 other symptomatic workers were tested on Monday, but the results are still pending.

It brings the total number of human cases to nine and experts fear virus could mutate to become more dangerous if it continues to jump between sp....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is studying the cluster of cases in Colorado to determine if they should update the risks to human health.

Colorado health officials reported that antiviral medication was given to 150 workers to treat the H5N1 bird flu and have confirmed that a total of 69 workers have shown symptoms.

An initial analysis hasn't shown any worrisome signs that the virus is mutating, making it easier to spread among people and the CDC is not currently recommending that livestock workers need to be vaccinated against the disease, Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the CDC told US News.....


All of the infected workers contracted the virus after they came into direct contact with poultry and Shah said they weren't wearing protective gear while they killed the chickens.

'PPE use was not optimal, particularly the masks and eye protection,' Shah told US News, referring to personal protective equipment.
...


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...ak-plague.html