COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. (KRDO) — This week, H5 influenza, also known as avian flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI), was detected in a person who worked on a Colorado farm with infected poultry.
While the risk of infecting other humans is low, uncertainty and stress are leading the state to offer free resources for farm or rural workers with anxiety about the situation.
“When your entire flock can be decimated in a few days, it becomes a very anxious and stressful environment for anyone who has birds,” said Olga Robak, director of communications for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been monitoring and testing people exposed to poultry and wild birds infected with bird flu. HPAI is a highly contagious and fatal foreign animal disease of domestic poultry.
State health officials say the positive test result is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County.
The adult male who tested positive is under the age of 40. and authorities say he is largely asymptomatic. He is now isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) according to CDC guidelines.
“We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to them is low,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, a state epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Those experiencing stress or anxiety from the avian flu can call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-255 or text “TALK” to 38255.
Members of the farming and rural communities can also get a coupon for six free sessions with a licensed, farm-friendly behavioral health professional.
“This current situation is really challenging for a variety of people, whether they are farmworkers or business operators, and we recognize that those people may need additional help right now,” said Dr. Herlihy.
The therapists available were carefully selected to help with challenges related to farming.
“It really takes a kind of specialized person to understand what farmers and ranchers are going through,” Robak said. “These sessions are held specifically with vendors who are competent to provide advice to farmworkers and agricultural producers.”
More information and a list of available providers can be found at caamhpforhealth.org.
Avian flu is not only found in commercial poultry operations. Backyard flocks can also spread the virus, and the USDA confirms that at least two backyard flocks in Colorado have had bird flu.
“We know that backyard flocks are certainly going to be a place where there is going to be a higher risk, as the birds are often outdoors and there can be a mix of wild birds and domestic birds,” said Dr. Herlihy. “That’s really a higher risk situation.”
For information on how to protect your herd, Click here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the Colorado case is the second human case associated with this specific group of currently predominant H5 viruses and the first case in the United States.
The first The international case occurred in December 2021 in the United Kingdom in a person who did not present any symptoms and who kept birds that were infected with the H5N1 virus.
