Colorado Man Contracts Bird Flu, Fourth Case in U.S.Colorado Man Contracts Bird Flu, Fourth Case in U.S. Colorado public health officials have confirmed an adult male has tested positive for bird flu, marking the fourth human case in the United States since the virus was first detected in cattle in March. The man, a dairy farm worker, came into contact with infected cattle and experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis (pink eye). He has since recovered after receiving antiviral treatment. The previous three human cases were also dairy farm workers who have recovered. The first two employees had mild pink eye, while the third had mild respiratory symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the case, emphasizing that the risk to the general public remains low. However, people who have come into contact with infected animals are at greater risk. The virus has infected cows on 139 farms in 12 U.S. states, with Colorado experiencing 27 outbreaks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actively monitoring the situation and conducting research. Moderna has been awarded a $176 million government contract to advance the development of a human bird flu vaccine. Additionally, the USDA is exploring the possibility of an avian flu vaccine for livestock. Despite these efforts, the USDA aims to eliminate the virus from dairy herds without relying solely on vaccines.
Colorado public health officials announced Wednesday that an adult male had tested positive for bird flu. He had mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, or pink eye.
The man is a dairy farm worker who came into contact with infected cattle and recovered after receiving antiviral treatment, officials said.
It was the fourth human case of bird flu reported in the U.S. since it was first identified in cows in March. The three people who previously tested positive were also dairy farm workers who recovered.
The first two employees to contract the virus had a mild case of pink eye. In the third case, the employee had mild respiratory symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case in a statement, saying the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, though people who have come into contact with infected animals are at greater risk.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the virus has infected cows on 139 farms in 12 U.S. states. Colorado has had 27 of those outbreaks.
Moderna on Tuesday received a $176 million government contract to advance development of its bird flu vaccine for humans.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting its own research and is requesting information from about two dozen companies about a possible avian flu vaccine for livestock. However, the agency has indicated that it hopes to eliminate the virus from dairy herds without a vaccine.
