Fourth Human Bird Flu Case Reported

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced in a press release yesterday that a fourth human case of the H5N1 bird flu virus has been identified. The adult male who is a Colorado dairy farm employee has reported mild symptoms, with specimens being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for testing. The multi-state outbreak began with the first case being reported by the CDC on April 1.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said the risk of infection is low, stating avian flu viruses are not adapted to spread from human to human:

The risk to most people remains low. Avian flu viruses are currently spreading among animals, but they are not adapted to spread from person to person. Right now, the most important thing to know is that people who have regular exposure to infected animals are at increased risk of infection and should take precautions when they have contact with sick animals

CDPHE Senior Director for Public Health Readiness and Response Scott Bookman said Colorado would continue to work with the CDC, and noted avian flu viral infection is rare, stating:

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 …. While it’s rare for people to become infected with avian flu viruses, direct exposure to infected animals increases that risk.

Reports of this case come after the announcement earlier this week from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarding Moderna $176 million in funding to complete development and testing of a mRNA-based vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu virus.