This week, the first human case of infection due to an H5N1 influenza (bird flu) virus circulating since around late 2021 was detected in a Colorado man who was working on a farm with infected poultry.
“Earlier this week, a test revealed the presence of the influenza A (H5) virus in a single nasal specimen from a person who was working on a farm with infected poultry,” said a Thursday press release from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case Wednesday.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the person who tested positive for H5N1 – also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – is an adult male under 40 years of age who is mostly asymptomatic except for fatigue. He is an inmate at a Delta County, Colo., correctional facility. As part of a pre-release work program, the man was working on a poultry farm in Montrose County, where participants have the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing wage.
All of the poultry in the affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the guidance of the United States Department of Agriculture Colorado Department of Agriculture. Response team personnel and other inmate workers were provided personal protective equipment while working on the farm.
The patient was isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) this week. Both measures are part of the CDC guidelines for treating bird flu in humans.
“Because the person was in close contact with infected poultry, the virus may have been present in the person’s nose without causing infection,” said the department.
Since avian cases of H5N1 began increasing, the department has been monitoring and testing people exposed to poultry and wild birds infected with the virus. Despite the newly discovered human case of avian flu, scientists believe that the risk of infection for humans is low, as H5 flu viruses spread mainly among wild birds and poultry.
“They do not normally infect humans nor spread from person to person,” said the Colorado Department of Public Health. “There are currently no known cases of this H5 flu virus spreading among people. There are no other confirmed human cases in Colorado or the United States at this time.”
Another human case was reported in the U.K. late last year. Like the Colorado man, that person was mostly asymptomatic, according to the CDC. They became infected after contact with birds they were raising.
Earlier versions of the virus have caused around 880 human infections since 2003.
“We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to them is low,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “I am grateful for the seamless collaboration between CDC, Department of Corrections, Department of Agriculture, and CDPHE, as we continue to monitor this virus and protect all Coloradans.”
Public health officials recommend avoiding contact with poultry that appear ill or are dead and avoiding contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds to prevent H5N1 infection.
“If you must handle sick or dead poultry, wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards,” said the Colorado Health Department.
“If possible, wear respiratory protection such as a medical facemask and eye protection such as goggles.”
It should be safe to eat properly handled and cooked – to 165˚F – poultry and poultry products in the U.S.
Related
Related
