Colorado health authorities closely monitor 70 dairy farm workers after a potential exposure to the bird flu virus on a northeastern farm. This situation follows a recent announcement of a second possible bird flu outbreak affecting a dairy herd in the state.
The virus has now been detected in 36 dairy herds across nine states, one in Colorado. As the virus transitions between birds and cattle, experts say it is at risk of mutating further, potentially enhancing its capability to infect humans.
Rachel Herlihy, MD, MPH, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Chief Epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health, stated that while the overall risk to humans is low, it varies based on exposure levels.
She noted that approximately 70 farm workers in Colorado have been under observation, and to date, none have exhibited symptoms.
No such cases have been reported, according to statements from local health officials.
“We’re still putting the puzzle together,” said Maggie Baldwin, Colorado’s state veterinarian, during a virtual town hall meeting on May 8.
The presence of bird flu was confirmed in the dairy cows in late April. According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP):
At a public town hall on Zoom today, veterinary and public health officials from Colorado today detailed the background of H5N1 findings in the state since 2022, described the state’s response to recent detections, and fielded questions from the public.
