“This is the second case in humans associated with this specific group of H5 viruses that are currently prevalent, and the first case in the United States,” the CDC said.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) said the man was a state prisoner under the age of 40 who worked on a commercial farm in Montrose County.
The man has recovered from fatigue, the CDPHE said. He is currently being isolated and is being treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir.
“Re-examination of the face is negative for the flu,” Colorado officials said in a statement. “Because the person has been in close contact with infected poultry, the virus may have been in a person’s nose without causing an infection.
The CDC also said the detection may be the result of surface contamination.
“This H5-positive human case does not change the assessment of the risk to human health,” the CDC said. “The CDC takes routine preparedness and prevention measures, which include an existing candidate vaccine virus that can be used to make a human vaccine, if needed.
People who are at higher risk of infection due to regular contact with infected birds should take the precautions listed on the CDC website.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with poultry that looks sick or dead, and staying away from surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or poultry. If you work with wild birds or poultry, wear gloves and wash your hands when finished. People can also wear a face mask and goggles if possible.
In February, bird flu was first detected in a commercial herd of turkeys in Dubois County, Indiana, according to the US Department of Agriculture. This is the first case of infection in the United States since 2020. Influenza has been confirmed in commercial and backyard herds in at least two dozen states and in wild birds in more than 30 states, according to the department. Earlier this month, the spread prompted zoo staff across the country to temporarily move their birds indoors as a precaution.
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