New Bird Flu Cases Confirmed in Colorado Poultry Workers, CDC Reports

The CDC confirmed two new cases of H5N1 bird flu in Colorado poultry farm workers. These cases are part of a broader outbreak affecting both wild and domesticated birds globally. The CDC deployed a team to Colorado to support the outbreak assessment, stating that human health risk remains low.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed two additional cases of H5N1 bird flu in Colorado poultry farm workers this Friday.

Last week, Colorado reported four confirmed infections and one suspected case of H5N1 bird flu. The two new cases involved workers exposed to infected poultry during depopulation and disposal activities, the CDC announced.

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak is not confined to Colorado but has been spreading in wild and domesticated birds globally. The CDC has deployed a nine-member team of specialists to Colorado to aid in assessing the outbreak and its impact on human cases.

Genetic analysis of the H5N1 virus in Colorado indicates that the risk to human health remains low. Preliminary blood sample results from 35 dairy farm workers in Michigan showed no specific antibodies to the virus, supporting this conclusion, the agency said.

However, the CDC stressed that additional data is needed to fully understand the occupational risks posed by the current avian influenza strains.

(With inputs from agencies.)