CDC Confirms Three Human Cases of H5 Bird Flu Among Colorado Poultry Workers

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0725-three-human-cases-of-h5-bird-flu.html?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_2cSYQDxgi-u25PK5jT8OhT6ON4dxywGgKgQJA-6h7D5koPyGYWnmlC-kD4OnYT4thXIQlpc7sago7vsRkvWTyNPHW8A&_hsmi=317386118&utm_content=317386118&utm_source=hs_email Bird flu cases in humans now total 13 in U.S. The number of confirmed human infections with the bird flu virus associated with the ongoing outbreak in dairy cattle has risen to 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday, as it confirmed three additional cases in Colorado. They are currently designated simply as H5 and not H5N1 because CDC labs are still working on typing the neuraminidase, the N number in the virus’ name, STAT’s Helen Branswell reports. The cases — one of which Colorado had previously announced as a “presumptive positive” — are in people who were culling infected poultry on a farm in the state. Genetic analysis of the virus in that poultry outbreak shows that it is similar to the virus circulating in cows; it’s believed this is one of several instances where H5N1 in cow herds has spilled over into nearby poultry operations. Of the 13 human cases, 10 have been detected in Colorado, which also has the highest number of reported infected dairy herds — 51, according to the state's Department of Agriculture. Michigan and Texas have reported two and one human case, respectively. https://ag.colorado.gov/animal-health/reportable-diseases/avian-influenza/hpai-in-dairy-cattle?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xieJZ45QFF2lftALeMiK7eGtfW7hvbz_3hocy0Tu_1tegkkdNQ1k6geJaECoVRmfKNvG_zsF1aUv9CtME5z3KKAawCQ&_hsmi=317386118&utm_content=317386118&utm_source=hs_email