Colorado Detects Bird Flu Cases in Poultry Workers

Five Confirmed, Three Presumed Cases So Far

State Declares Disaster Emergency Amid Outbreak

Five cases of bird flu have been confirmed among workers culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado, prompting the governor to declare a disaster emergency. The cases, which doubled the number of U.S. human infections reported so far this year, raised concerns about the potential spread of the virus.

The sickened workers, who were involved in the culling of infected poultry, experienced symptoms including fever, cough, and muscle aches. Three additional workers are suspected of having the virus, but their cases have yet to be confirmed.

In response to the outbreak, Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency on Saturday. The declaration will allow the state to access federal funds and resources to assist with containment and response efforts.

Since March 2022, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has led a response to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the state. A previous outbreak at a commercial poultry facility in Weld County in June 2022 resulted in the culling of over 19 million birds.

The latest human cases are a reminder of the importance of taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding contact with sick birds and poultry, and thoroughly cooking poultry products before consumption.