Current:Home > Finance3 Colorado poultry workers test presumptively positive for bird flu -BrightFutureFinance
3 Colorado poultry workers test presumptively positive for bird flu
View
Date:2025-04-11 17:05:02
Three poultry workers from a farm in northeast Colorado are suspected to have contracted bird flu, state and federal health officials announced Friday.
The three tested presumptively positive for H5N1, also known as avian influenza, while working at a "commercial egg layer operation," the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement.
They were culling poultry at the farm when they showed mild symptoms, including pink eye and common respiratory infections, the agency said. None required hospitalization.
Specimens have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.
The CDC said that the three worked "at a poultry facility experiencing an outbreak of the H5N1 virus that is circulating in wild birds and has been causing multistate outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry."
There have been four confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. since March, all in farmworkers, with two in Michigan, one in Texas and one in Colorado, the CDC said.
In the latter case, a Northern Colorado farm worker suffered pink eye after having direct contact with cattle that were infected with avian flu, CDPHE previously reported.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there have been bird flu outbreaks confirmed in 152 cattle herds so far this year.
The CDC said the risk to the public from bird flu remains low, noting that "there are no signs of unexpected increases in flu activity otherwise in Colorado, or in other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks in cows and poultry."
However, it added that "human infections with this novel influenza virus (and others) are concerning because of the potential to cause severe disease."
Federal officials are considering if and when to deploy 4.8 million doses of bird flu vaccine. Finland announced last month it would offer shots to workers who might be exposed to the virus.
— Alexander Tin contributed to this report.
- In:
- Colorado
- Bird Flu
Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Chef Joey Fecci Dead at 26 After Collapsing While Running Marathon
- How Columbia University became the driving force behind protests over the war in Gaza
- 2024 NFL draft steals: Steelers have two picks among top 10 in best value
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Judge clears former Kentucky secretary of state Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics charges
- Wally Dallenbach, former IndyCar driver and CART chief steward, dies at 87
- Apple juice lot recalled due to high arsenic levels; product sold at Publix, Kroger, more
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Louisiana rapist sentenced to physical castration, 50 years in prison for assaulting teen
Ranking
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Focus turns to demeanor of girlfriend charged in Boston officer’s death on second day of trial
- Chef Joey Fecci Dead at 26 After Collapsing While Running Marathon
- Ralph Lauren delivers intimate, starry fashion show with Jessica Chastain, Glenn Close, more
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens vote on ousting Mike Johnson after Democrats say they'll block it
- Vanderpump Rules’ Rachel “Raquel” Leviss Dating New Man After Tom Sandoval Split
- US to test ground beef in states with dairy cows infected with bird flu. What to know.
Recommendation
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
ABC News Meteorologist Rob Marciano Exits Network After 10 Years
Ralph Lauren delivers intimate, starry fashion show with Jessica Chastain, Glenn Close, more
Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in hush money trial. Here's how much he owes.
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
Ex-Ohio House speaker to be arraigned from prison on state charges, as scheme’s impact persists
'As the World Turns' co-stars Cady McClain, Jon Lindstrom are divorcing after 10 years
US judges have rejected a map that would have given Louisiana a new majority-Black House district