United States – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported yesterday of three human avian influenza infections from poultry farm workers.
Nationwide Impact of Bird Flu
The three new cases were identified as poultry farm workers who were euthanizing infected chickens at a Weld County egg farm, according to the health department, as reported by Reuters.
As of February 2022, the bird flu has affected poultry across almost every state in the United States. Since March, the virus has been reported to spread among dairy cattle and affects over 170 herds in 13 states, as reported by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Four dairy farm workers and nine poultry farm workers have been infected with the virus in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas since April, as reported by Reuters.
PPE Concerns at Colorado Facility
Two weeks ago, six workers processing sick chickens at a distinct Colorado poultry facility had no proper personal protective equipment, according to the information released by the U. S. CDC.