Colorado dairy employee tests positive for avian flu; health officials say risk to the public is low

A dairy farm employee in northeast Colorado has tested positive for a human case of the avian flu associated with a multi-state virus outbreak among dairy cattle.

State health officials characterized the case as “mild,” posing a low risk for the public.

“Our partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture has been crucial in disseminating information to dairy farmers across the state,” Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said in a press release. “Coloradans should feel confident that the state is doing everything possible to mitigate the virus.”

The adult male, who reported having pink eye, was given an antiviral treatment with oseltamivir, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The man has since recovered, according to state health officials.

No other details were provided.

“The risk to most people remains low,” Dr. Rachel Herlihy, a state epidemiologist, said in a statement. “Avian flu viruses are currently spreading among animals, but they are not adapted to spread from person to person.”

While the risk to the general public remains low, Herlihy said those with regular exposure to infected animals should take precautions.

Coloradans should avoid touching sick or dead animals.

Individuals who must handle sick or dead animals should wear personal protective equipment — which includes an N95 respirator, eye protection and gloves — and should wash their hands with soap and water afterward handling.

H5N1 — or colloquially known as “bird flu” or “avian flu” — is widely found in wild birds and has caused outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows.

Risk depends on exposure, specifically to infected animals.

To date this year, the U.S. has seen four human cases among dairy workers, according to the CDC . Avian flu cases in humans have also been found in Texas and Michigan.

The first identified case in humans this year in the U.S. was identified in March.

The last case detected in humans was in Colorado in 2022.

At the time, the state health department reported the case was in an adult male poultry worker in Montrose County who was younger than 40. He was largely asymptomatic.

State and federal officials note it is safe to drink pasteurized milk and to eat properly handled and cooked dairy beef and poultry products in the U.S.

An updated study released last month by Food and Drug Administration reinforced the safety of the commercial milk supply.

“We continue to work closely with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, local public health agencies, and CDC as we monitor this virus to protect all Coloradans,” Scott Bookman, senior director of public health readiness and response at CDPHE, said in a statement. “While it’s rare for people to become infected with avian flu viruses, direct exposure to infected animals increases that risk.”