At least four poultry workers in Colorado have contracted bird flu and are experiencing mild symptoms, according to the state’s health department on Sunday.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) verified four cases, with a fifth worker presumed positive for the flu.
The affected workers were culling poultry at a farm in northeast Colorado and displayed mild symptoms, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and common respiratory infection symptoms. State health officials suspect these cases are due to direct contact with infected poultry.
None of the five workers required hospitalization, and their cases are being investigated by the CDC.
Despite the outbreaks, Colorado health officials reassure that properly cooked poultry remains safe to eat. Proper handling and cooking of poultry, meat, and eggs kill bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses.
The announcement on Sunday brings the total number of bird flu cases in the US to nine since 2022, with eight infections occurring this year.
The virus, which has affected mammals and birds since 2020, has been spreading across the US this year, impacting both poultry and cattle farms. The CDC stated on Friday that the current risk assessment for the general public remains low.
“There are no signs of unexpected increases in flu activity in Colorado or other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks in cows and poultry,” it said. Nevertheless, it called human cases concerning due to their pandemic potential.
“If these viruses evolve to spread easily from person-to-person, it could trigger a pandemic. However, to date, we have not seen genetic changes in the virus that would make it more likely to transmit between humans,” the CDC added.
Earlier this month, Moderna announced it received $176 million from the U.S. government to begin trials for a mRNA H5N1 bird flu vaccine.