CDC confirms case of bird flu in Colorado man but says the public health risk assessment remains low
By Katherine Dillinger
A case of influenza A(H5), also known as H5 bird flu, has been confirmed in a man in Colorado who had direct exposure to poultry and the culling of birds with presumptive H5N1 bird flu, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement Thursday.
“This is the second human case associated with this specific group of H5 viruses that are currently predominant, and the first case in the United States,” the CDC said.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said the man is a state inmate younger than 40 who was working at a commercial farm in Montrose County.
The man has recovered after experiencing fatigue, CDPHE said. He is currently isolated and is being treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir.
“Repeat testing on the person was negative for influenza,” Colorado officials said in the statement. “Because the person was in close contact with infected poultry, the virus may have been in the person’s nose without causing infection.”
The CDC also said it’s possible that the detection was a result of surface contamination.
“This one H5-positive human case does not change the human health risk assessment,” the CDC said. “CDC is taking routine preparedness and prevention measures, which includes an existing candidate vaccine virus that could be used to make vaccine for people if one were needed.”
People who are at higher risk of infection because of regular contact with infected birds should take precautions outlined on the CDC’s website. Avoid contact with poultry that appear ill or are dead, and avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds. If handling wild birds or poultry, wear gloves and wash your hands when you’re done. Wear a face mask and goggles if possible.
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