Five new US cases of avian influenza in humans are confirmed
The individuals with H5N1, who worked in an egg layer facility in Colorado, have reported mild symptoms without hospitalizations.
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This article was originally published by Contagion, a sister publication to dvm360.
Five new cases of avian influenza in workers from a commercial egg layer operation in northeast Colorado have been reported, as of July 14, 2024, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 4 of the cases, and 1 additional case is presumptive positive and pending confirmation at CDC.1
The workers were culling poultry at a farm in and exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of the individuals were hospitalized.1 State epidemiologists suspect the poultry workers’ cases are a result of working directly with infected poultry. The investigation is ongoing with support from CDC.1
For those who work with cows or poultry in Colorado and that may have avian flu and 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 people get a flu test and medicine if needed.
Confirmed cases
Less than 2 weeks ago the fourth human case in the US was confirmed, also in Colorado, in a worker who had contact with dairy cattle. This would account for 9 total confirmed cases in the US. It has only been in farm and agricultural workers who handle cows and poultry thus far. And in all the cases, everyone has had mild symptoms—mostly conjunctivitis with some respiratory distress.
How CDC monitors H5N1
CDC is actively surveilling avian influenza cases across the US. “Human infections with non-human influenza A viruses that are different from currently spreading seasonal human influenza viruses, are nationally notifiable,” writes the federal agency on their site. Every case is reported to and investigated by CDC.2
“CDC is actively looking at multiple flu indicators during the current situation to monitor for influenza A(H5N1) viruses, including looking for spread of the virus to, or among people, in jurisdictions where the virus has been identified in people or animals,” the federal agency writes on its site.2
Is the food supply safe?
According to the FDA, 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. The federal agency reports there continues to be no concern that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health, or that it affects the safety of the interstate commercial milk supply because products are pasteurized before entering the market.3
It is important to note, no consumers of poultry, eggs, or meat have been sickened.
References
- Health officials confirm human cases of avian influenza in Colorado poultry workers. CPDHE. July 14, 2024. Accessed July 15 2024.
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/health-officials-confirm-human-cases-of-avian-flu-in-colorado-poultry-workers - How CDC is monitoring influenza data among people to better understand the current avian influenza A (H5N1) situation. CDC. July 12, 2024. Accessed July 15, 2024.
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html - Questions and Answers Regarding Milk Safety During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks. FDA. April 24, 2024. Accessed July 15, 2024.
https://www.fda.gov/food/milk-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/questions-and-answers-regarding-milk-safety-during-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai-outbreaks
