Last updated July 15, 2024
Avian flu in farm workers
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is supporting the Colorado Department of Agriculture in the state’s response to the H5N1 avian flu. The virus has spread among poultry and some dairy cattle in the state.
- On July 14, 2024, Colorado health officials confirmed five human cases of avian flu in Colorado poultry workers.
- On July 3, 2024, Colorado identified a human case of avian flu in a dairy worker exposed to infected cattle.
Nationally, there have been fewer than a dozen cases of avian flu transmission to humans and no evidence of person-to-person spread.
What is the risk to Colorado?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to confirm that the risk to the general public remains low at this time.
Information for the general public
- Avoid contact with sick birds and other animals.
- If you must handle sick or dead birds or animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment, including an N95 respirator, eye protection, and gloves.
- Drink pasteurized milk. According to the FDA, pasteurization eliminates potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.
Information for farm workers
According to CDC, people who work on dairy farms are at higher risk for getting avian flu from sick cows or their milk. Dairy farm workers can protect themselves by:
- Wearing protective clothing — like coveralls, gloves, face masks/shields, and goggles — when working with sick or dead animals, manure, or milk.
- Washing hands with soap and water throughout the day, before eating, drinking, or smoking, and before going home. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Cleaning areas that have come in contact with animals, manure, or milk using chemical disinfectants effective against viruses. Follow the directions on the label about how to use the product safely.
If you work with dairy cows suspected or confirmed to have avian flu and you start to feel sick, call CDPHE at 303-692-2700 (after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). The Department can help you get a flu test and medicine if you need it.
If you have questions about sick or dead animals on the farm, ask your farm manager and herd veterinarian.
More information about avian flu in humans is below.
Avian flu is a virus that naturally spreads among wild birds. It can also infect poultry and other kinds of animals, including cows.
While the risk to the general public is low, avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance. Wild birds can have avian flu even if they don’t look sick. Do not touch sick or dead animals, or surfaces contaminated with animal feces, if possible. Avoid tracking those materials home or to backyard flocks on boots and other items.
Waterfowl hunters, poultry workers, backyard bird flock owners, livestock farmers, and livestock workers are at higher risk of infection. They should take appropriate precautions, including:
- Wear recommended personal protective equipment, including an N95 respirator, eye protection, and gloves, when in contact with sick birds or animals.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after contact with birds or animals. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Dress game birds in the field when possible and take precautions as outlined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
- If you have livestock or poultry, watch your animals for any signs of illness. Report disease to the State Veterinarian’s office by calling 303-869-9130 or using the reportable disease case report form. Learn more about protecting your animals from avian flu on CDA’s website.
- Notify your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office if you find three or more dead wild birds in a specific area within two weeks, or if you find sick or dead mammals.
Symptoms and contagiousness
Common symptoms of avian flu in people include, but are not limited, to:
- Fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Eye redness (or pink eye)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Animals do not normally spread avian flu to humans, nor does it usually spread from person to person. While there are no known cases of the current H5N1 avian flu virus spreading between people, public health officials monitor people following exposure to infected animals.
Treatment
Flu medicine (antivirals) can treat avian flu in people. In general, treatment works best when started as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
Information for public health and health care professionals
Health care providers who think a patient may have avian flu and was exposed to known or suspected infected animals should immediately report it to their local public health agency or CDPHE’s Viral Respiratory Program. Call 303-692-2700 during business hours (303-370-9395 after hours) or email cdphe_flu_rsv@state.co.us.
CDPHE is available to consult with local public health agencies.