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Dozens of Colorado dairy farm workers monitored for bird flu symptoms

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Dozens of Colorado dairy farm workers monitored for bird flu symptoms


The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed Friday that approximately 70 dairy farm workers are currently being monitored for possible symptoms of avian flu. 

The 70 workers were recently exposed to the virus while employed at two Colorado dairy farms. Neither the farms or the workers have not been identified. 

None of the workers are reporting symptoms of infection at this time, a CDPHE spokesperson confirmed. The agency will coordinate testing for any of the workers who do report symptoms and ensure flu antiviral drugs are available to them.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture first detected bird flu in a Colorado dairy herd on April 25. 

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 RELATED  Bird flu found in norteastern Colorado dairy herd

The second Colorado herd tested positive Wednesday. 

The virus was first discovered in a Texas dairy herd in late March. One person from that Texas farm became mildly symptomatic. That is, to this point, the only person to become ill due to the virus’s transmission to dairy herds. That person is the first to contract this particular strain of the virus from another mammal, per the World Health Organization. The first person to contract it directly from birds was an inmate working at a commercial poultry facility near Montrose two years ago.

RELATED  Colorado man tests positive for avian flu (2022)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 highly contagious and often deadly in birds, and can be easily transmitted between domestic poultry and wild birds.     

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“It is important to note that “highly pathogenic” refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans,” according to the Federal Food and Drug Administration. 

The potential is there, however, for pandemic levels of bird fly. According to the results a 2023 study, severe infections can cause human death at a high rate. In tests, a dozen laboratory monkeys inhaled an aerosol dose of the virus. Four of the six unvaccinated monkeys developed acute respiratory disease and died. The six vaccinated monkeys became ill but survived.  

“Human infections with avian influenza viruses can happen when virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled,” as stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “This can happen when virus is in the air (in droplets, small aerosol particles, or possibly dust) and deposits on the mucus membranes of the eyes or a person breathes it in, or possibly when a person touches something contaminated by viruses and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.”

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In the latest count, 42 dairy herds in nine states have tested positive. The federal government’s testing on the commercial milk supply has found “fragments” of the virus in milk after it was pasteurized. Thus, the USDA declared the nation’s milk supply to be safe, and pointed out higher risks to consumers who drink or cook with untreated raw milk. 

Still, the USDA is regularly conducting tests for the virus. It has also issued an order requiring the testing of any lactating dairy cattle that cross state lines.

The USDA is offering up to $28,000 in support to each of the 42 dairy farms and their workers. The funds can be used to provide personal protective equipment for the workers; enhanced biosecurity for other workers such as feed truck drivers, milk haulers and veterinarians; increased veterinary costs to dairy operators; and heat treatment systems (similar to pasteurization) used to deactivate the virus in milk that is disposed of by the dairy farms. 

The USDA is also taking steps to make funding available to compensate dairy farmers for the loss of milk production attributable to the virus. The effect of bird flu on the health of the dairy cattle is moderate. The cows exhibits decreasing appetite and lower milk production, but rebound with treatment.

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“I have seen many infected cows and they look dull and depressed, similar to how humans feel during a viral infection,” wrote a veterinarian and epidemiologist at Colorado State University, Jason Lombard.  

RELATED  “Largest avian flu outbreak in U.S. history” has killed has killed 52 millions birds, 4.7 million in Colorado (2022)

How the disease has been transmitted to dairy cattle has not been confirmed.  

Bird flu has proven fatal to several cats on dairy farms in Texas, New Mexico and Ohio that tested positive for bird flu, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

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Colorado

John Walsh wins race for Denver District Attorney

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John Walsh wins race for Denver District Attorney


John Walsh, a career federal prosecutor and private practice attorney, will be Denver’s next district attorney after winning Tuesday’s election.

Walsh won about 58% of the vote, beating Leora Joseph by about 11,000 votes, according to the Denver Elections Division.

He’ll will still need to go through the November general election, but they’d be the presumptive winner and would take office in January.

Both candidates agreed on a number of issues but split on a few. Joseph, for example, said she was completely opposed to the idea of safe injection sites, while Walsh said he was at least open to a pilot program with a single site, subject to approval by City Council, to gather more research on how it’d work in Denver.

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Walsh ran on a campaign of reforming sentencing guidelines. A career federal prosecutor, he served as assistant U.S. Attorney and was appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado by former President Barack Obama.

He worked on Obama’s clemency project and, at the time, reduced sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. In private practice, he’s worked on business litigation, securities and conducting internal investigations.

He’s also been involved in several high-profile cases, from leading a grand jury investigation into former Arizona Governor John Fife Symington to representing President Joe Biden’s administration in one of the 2020 election lawsuits in Michigan.

Walsh was endorsed by outgoing Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and former District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.

Leora Joseph, who worked as a prosecutor in Massachusetts for 25 years, served as chief of staff for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and led Colorado’s Behavioral Health Agency.

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You can view all of Tuesday’s primary election results on CBS News Colorado.



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New program helps feed hungry children and families in Colorado

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New program helps feed hungry children and families in Colorado


New program helps feed hungry children and families in Colorado – CBS Colorado

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Tasty Food gives out free meals through the Denver metro area to help families fill gaps this summer.

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What the nation’s top QB Julian Lewis said about official visit to Colorado

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What the nation’s top QB Julian Lewis said about official visit to Colorado


Julian “JuJu” Lewis says he enjoyed his time in Boulder. But was it enough to sway him away from his commitment to USC?

The highly sought-after Carrollton high school quarterback prospect was ushered in and welcomed by everyone around the foot of the Flatirons. This was Lewis’ third official visit to Colorado since the start of the year. However, this visit was particularly noteworthy given how the city showed the Peachtree passer nothing but love.

“It was a cool weekend,” Lewis told SI. “I met a lot of good people while I was in Boulder and definitely noticed the things they did around town.” He went on to say he was shutting down his recruitment.

The nation’s top ranked prospect, according to ESPN, had a burger named after him and had welcome signs all over the place. He garnered a great deal of attention with everyone knowing how monumental it would be for CU to land him

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As for the verbal commitment to USC? That hasn’t alter Lewis’ approach or wanting to survey his options. The elite signal-caller has taken official visits to Indiana, Auburn and Colorado as of late. While the Trojans are still in the picture, the Buffaloes and Tigers did enough to stay afloat.

The prominence of Deion Sanders has brought significant attention to Colorado’s football program, making it a prime destination for top recruits like Lewis. Upon arrival, he was greeted with a warm welcome that included a tour of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities. The facilities at Colorado have undergone significant upgrades in recent years, making them competitive with some of the best in the nation. Lewis and his family were shown around the Champion Center athletic complex, training rooms, and the newly renovated Folsom Field.

A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity for Lewis to sit down with Shedeur Sanders for a “legendary” picture. The Buffs “Grown” QB approach to mentoring is focusing on building character and leadership qualities in his teammates, which resonated deeply with Lewis. Sanders’ commitment to his personal and athletic development in noticeable this offseason as he ramps up to preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Additionally, Lewis was treated to a glimpse of life in Boulder, Colorado. The university’s scenic campus, set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, offers a unique environment that combines rigorous academics with a vibrant college town atmosphere. The natural beauty and recreational opportunities of Boulder were emphasized as part of the overall appeal of being at CU.

The official visit left a strong impression on Lewis and his family. Coach Prime’s dynamic leadership and the comprehensive support system at Colorado present a compelling case for why the university is an excellent choice for top-tier recruits. As Lewis continues to weigh his options, the time spent with Sanders and the Colorado football program will undoubtedly play a significant role in his decision-making process.

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