Colorado: A Human HPAI H5 infection
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been monitoring and testing people exposed to poultry and wild birds infected with avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Earlier this week, a test revealed the presence of the H5 virus in a single nasal specimen from a person who was working on a farm with infected poultry. CDC confirmed the result on April 27, 2022. Repeat testing on the person was negative for influenza.
The adult male, who is younger than 40, is largely asymptomatic, reporting only fatigue. He is now isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir per CDC guidance. There are no other confirmed human cases in Colorado or the United States at this time.
This positive result is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County. The person, who is an inmate at a state correctional facility in Delta County, was working with poultry as part of a pre-release employment program where participants have the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing wage. The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the guidance of the USDA and CDA. All members of the response team, including other inmate workers, were provided personal protective equipment while working on the farm.
This is the second human case associated with this specific group of H5 viruses that are currently predominant, and the first case in the United States.
