Health officials announced Sunday that four poultry workers in Colorado have been diagnosed with bird flu, increasing the total number of U.S. cases to nine since the outbreak began in 2022. Of these, eight cases have been reported this year alone.
The workers, who were involved in culling infected poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado, experienced mild symptoms such as irritated eyes, fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, and runny nose. None of the workers required hospitalization. A fifth worker exhibiting similar symptoms is undergoing testing, with results expected soon.
The bird flu virus, known as H5N1, has been spreading among various mammals, including dogs, cats, skunks, bears, seals, and porpoises, across numerous countries since 2020. Earlier this year, the virus was detected in U.S. livestock and is now circulating among cattle in several states.
Despite the recent cases, health officials maintain that the threat to the general public remains low, as there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sent a nine-person team to Colorado to assist with the investigation, underscoring the importance of monitoring the outbreak closely.
The latest diagnoses come after similar cases were reported earlier this year among dairy farm workers in Michigan, Texas, and Colorado, all of whom had direct contact with infected birds. The virus detected in the recent Colorado cases is believed to be similar to the strain found in previous U.S. cases, although further genetic analysis is ongoing.
As of Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in 152 dairy herds across 12 states. Additionally, hundreds of commercial poultry flocks in more than 30 states have reported cases of H5N1 or other strains of bird flu.
With the virus affecting both wildlife and livestock, health officials are emphasizing the need for strict biosecurity measures to prevent further spread. Workers who handle potentially infected animals are advised to follow safety protocols to protect themselves and reduce the risk of transmission.
The bird flu outbreak continues to be a concern for public health authorities, who are working to contain the spread and protect both animal and human health.
