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Bird Flu Human Case Reported in Colorado
Health Officials Announce New Case
Public health officials in Colorado reported that an adult man tested positive for avian flu on Wednesday. The man experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye), and has since recovered after antiviral treatment. He works at a dairy farm and had been exposed to infected cattle.
Human Cases in the U.S.
This is the fourth human case of bird flu in the U.S. since avian flu was detected in cows in March. The previous three cases also involved dairy farm workers who recovered. The first two had mild pink eye, and the third had mild respiratory symptoms.
Public Health Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case, stating that the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low. However, individuals who have contact with infected animals are at a higher risk.
Outbreaks in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), avian flu has been found in cows at 139 farms across 12 states. Colorado has reported 27 of these outbreaks.
Vaccine Development
On Tuesday, Moderna was awarded a $176 million government contract to develop a human bird flu vaccine. The USDA is also conducting its own research and seeking information from about two dozen companies on a potential bird flu vaccine for cattle. However, the USDA aims to eliminate the virus from dairy herds without using a vaccine.
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