Three more presumed cases of bird flu have been reported in Colorado, bringing the total number of cases in the state to three. The cases have not yet been confirmed, but they were identified in farmworkers who were culling infected birds. Health officials have stated that the risk to the public remains low.
The three farmworkers in Colorado experienced mild symptoms of the bird flu after coming into direct contact with infected birds. The symptoms included conjunctivitis and common respiratory infection symptoms. The tests conducted on the workers were preliminary, and the samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
In the United States, a total of four farmworkers have been infected with the H5N1 virus, which is linked to an ongoing outbreak among dairy cattle in several states. One case has been reported in Colorado, one in Texas, and two in Michigan. All of these cases involved direct exposure to dairy cows, and there is currently no evidence to suggest that the H5N1 virus spreads easily among humans.
Despite the new cases, the C.D.C. has stated that the risk to the public remains low. However, as a precaution, a team has been sent to Colorado to assist with the investigation. The C.D.C. will also be looking into whether the farmworkers were wearing personal protective equipment while handling the infected birds.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, refers to a group of flu viruses that primarily affect birds. The H5N1 virus, which has infected the farmworkers in Colorado, was first identified in China in 1996 and reported in humans in Hong Kong in 1997. A new strain of H5N1 emerged in Europe in 2020 and has since spread globally.
The outbreak has impacted over 99 million birds in the United States, with cases reported on dairy farms since March. A total of 152 dairy herds across 12 states have tested positive for the virus. Scientists are currently investigating how the virus is being transmitted among cows.
Furthermore, the virus has been found in a variety of other animals, including marine mammals like seals and bottlenose dolphins, as well as skunks, squirrels, and domestic cats. The spread of the virus to different species highlights the need for continued vigilance and monitoring to prevent further outbreaks and protect public health.
