The primary recognized human case in america of the H5N1 virus, referred to as the avian flu and usually transmitted amongst poultry and wild birds, has been present in a Colorado man who works on a Western Slope poultry farm.
The Colorado Division of Public Well being and Atmosphere has been monitoring and testing individuals uncovered to poultry and wild birds contaminated with avian flu, based on a information launch.
Earlier this week, a take a look at revealed the presence of the influenza virus in a single nasal specimen of a person who was engaged on a farm with contaminated poultry, the information launch mentioned.
On Wednesday, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention confirmed the take a look at. Repeat testing on the person, nonetheless, has been detrimental.
Well being officers mentioned it’s attainable that the virus could have been current within the particular person’s nostril with out inflicting an infection.
“We’d by no means know if this particular person was actually contaminated, that means the virus was replicating in his physique, or if the virus was simply transiently current in his nostril and picked up by the nasal swab take a look at,” mentioned Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado state epidemiologist.
Each the CDC and the state contemplate the invention a “confirmed case,” Herlihy mentioned. “He’s the primary particular person within the U.S. for this virus.”
Public well being officers in the UK confirmed the H5N1 virus in January 2022 in an individual who was asymptomatic and had direct contact with contaminated birds, based on the information launch.
Earlier this month, the Denver Zoo shut down its out of doors chook displays and introduced the animals inside in an effort to forestall the transmission of the extremely contagious avian flu, which has been detected in Denver and different components of Colorado.
Additionally in April, inspectors with the U.S. Division of Agriculture confirmed the primary case of avian flu in a yard hen flock in Colorado, in Pitkin County.
The Colorado man, who’s underneath age 40, is basically asymptomatic, reporting solely fatigue, the state well being division mentioned. He’s in isolation and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir (tamiflu), per CDC steering.
“Scientists imagine that the chance to individuals is low as H5 flu viruses unfold amongst wild birds and poultry,” the discharge mentioned. “They don’t usually infect people nor unfold from individual to individual. There are at the moment no recognized instances of this H5 flu virus spreading amongst individuals. There aren’t any different confirmed human instances in Colorado or america right now.”
The optimistic result’s related to a industrial farm in Montrose County. The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of underneath the steering of the Colorado Division of Agriculture and the USDA.
“We need to reassure Coloradans that the chance to them is low,” Herlihy mentioned.
Whereas human infections of the H5 viruses are uncommon, direct publicity to contaminated birds will increase that danger. Contaminated birds shed flu viruses of their saliva, mucous, and feces, based on the discharge. Folks ought to keep away from contact with poultry that seem ailing or are lifeless, and keep away from contact with surfaces that seem like contaminated with feces from wild or home birds.
“We all know that on the whole the chance to most people could be very low,” Herlihy mentioned. “That danger is elevated in people who do have shut contact or extended contact with contaminated birds.”
Individuals who deal with sick or lifeless poultry ought to put on gloves and wash your fingers with cleaning soap and water afterwards, the discharge mentioned. If attainable, put on respiratory safety corresponding to a medical facemask and eye safety corresponding to goggles.
