3 Colorado workers at commercial egg facility presumed to have avian flu

DENVER (KDVR) — Three presumptive positive cases of avian flu have been identified in workers at a commercial egg layer operation in Weld County.

So far, the three workers at the egg-laying farm have exhibited mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis and common respiratory infection symptoms. None of them have been hospitalized.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said the workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and said they suspect the cases were a result of working directly with infected poultry. The department also noted that the risk to members of the public is still low: All cases in humans have been after the infected individuals came in direct contact with infected animals.

One case of avian flu was identified in a man working at a northeastern Colorado dairy farm earlier this month. Officials said he exhibited only symptoms of pink eye, or conjunctivitis, and recovered from the infection, but also noted he had direct exposure to dairy cattle that were infected with avian flu.

Northeast Colorado is where the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state this year was detected on April 25, when dairy cattle were found to have highly pathogenic avian influenza. The outbreak has led to at least 10 facilities being placed in quarantine.

The infected egg-laying farm, which has about 1.8 million chickens, prompted Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster emergency declaration on July 5 for the H5N1 avian flu outbreak in Weld County. State health officials told FOX31’s Matt Mauro that all of the birds would be culled to prevent the spread of the virus.

How to protect against the risk of avian flu

The bird-borne virus can be transmitted to cattle and humans but has also been found in other mammals. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of the virus are primarily respiratory, but the most recent human case involved conjunctivitis (pink eye).

According to CDPHE, it is safe to drink pasteurized milk and eat “properly handled and cooked dairy, beef, and poultry products,” because the process kills bacteria and viruses, including avian flu.

The state health agency is also reminding Coloradans not to touch dead or sick animals, but if it’s unavoidable:

• Wear personal protective equipment including a N95 respirator, eye protection and gloves
• Wash hands with soap and water afterward
• If there’s no soap and water available, use an alcohol-based hand rub

If you work with dairy cows that may have avian flu and start to feel ill, CDPHE encourages you to call 303-692-2700 during regular business hours, or 303-370-9395 outside of those hours. H5N1 must be reported to the Colorado Veterinarian’s Office. There is also an emergency rule enacted for mandatory testing of lactating dairy cattle moving interstate.