State health officials investigate a detection of H5 influenza virus in a human in Colorado

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Corrections

Person had direct contact with infected poultry; public health experts say the risk to the public is low.

April 28, 2022—The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been monitoring and testing people exposed to poultry and wild birds infected with avian flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI), also known as H5N1 flu. Earlier this week, a test revealed the presence of the influenza A (H5) virus in a single nasal specimen from a person who was working on a farm with infected poultry. CDC confirmed the result on April 27, 2022. Repeat testing on the person was negative for influenza. Because the person was in close contact with infected poultry, the virus may have been present in the person’s nose without causing infection.

The adult male, who is younger than 40, is largely asymptomatic, reporting only fatigue. He is now isolating and receiving the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir (tamiflu) per CDC guidance. Scientists believe that the risk to people is low as H5 flu viruses spread among wild birds and poultry. They do not normally infect humans nor spread from person to person. There are currently no known cases of this H5 flu virus spreading among people. There are no other confirmed human cases in Colorado or the United States at this time.

This positive result is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County. The person, who is an inmate at a state correctional facility in Delta County, was working with poultry as part of a pre-release employment program, where participants have the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing wage. The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the guidance of the USDA and CDA. All members of the response team, including other inmate workers, were provided personal protective equipment while working on the farm.

“We want to reassure Coloradans that the risk to them is low,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “I am grateful for the seamless collaboration between CDC, Department of Corrections, Department of Agriculture, and CDPHE, as we continue to monitor this virus and protect all Coloradans.”

While human infections of the H5 viruses are rare, direct exposure to infected birds increases that risk. Infected birds shed flu viruses in their saliva, mucous, and feces. Public health officials in the United Kingdom confirmed H5N1 virus in January 2022 in a person who was asymptomatic and had direct contact with infected birds.

People should avoid contact with poultry that appear ill or are dead, and avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds. If you must handle sick or dead poultry, wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards. If possible, wear respiratory protection such as a medical face mask and eye protection, such as goggles. CDC also has guidance for specific groups of people with exposure to poultry, including poultry workers and people responding to poultry outbreaks. CDC will continue to provide further updates to the situation and update guidance as needed.

It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry and poultry products in the United States. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses, including H5N1 viruses.

What flock owners can do

HPAI is a highly contagious and deadly foreign animal disease in domestic poultry. Wild birds serve as a reservoir for influenza viruses and can spread these viruses to poultry. Certain strains of avian influenza are also zoonotic. USDA has published all detections of HPAI in poultry and wild birds on the APHIS website. Learn more about avian influenza and how to report unusual bird deaths on the CDA website at ag.colorado.gov/hpai.

INCREASE BIOSECURITY: It is extremely important for poultry owners to increase biosecurity measures to protect their birds. The USDA Defend the Flock website has helpful resources for keeping poultry healthy in any operation. Commercial poultry producers can use this toolkit to assess their biosecurity practices and preparedness.

MONITOR FLOCKS: Monitor your flock for clinical signs of H5N1, including monitoring production parameters (feed and water consumption, egg production) and increased morbidity and mortality. Any changes in production parameters that could indicate H5N1 should be reported.

REPORT DISEASE: It is important for veterinarians and producers to report any suspicious disease events in poultry flocks to the State Veterinarian’s office at 303-869-9130. If it is after hours, the voicemail message will indicate which veterinarian is on call.

If you have sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes, help is available at the Colorado Avian Health Call Line at Colorado State University Their number is 970-297-4008.

SECURE FOOD SUPPLY: The Colorado Department of Agriculture strongly encourages poultry producers to enroll as a Secure Food Supply participant through their office. The most important component of ensuring your continuity of business in an outbreak is to enroll in Secure Food Supply and have a biosecurity plan in place. If you would like more information, contact dave.dice@state.co.us or
303-263-2407.

Additional resources:

CDA: Avian influenza
USDA: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Defend the Flock
CFSPH: Poultry biosecurity

State health officials investigate a detection of H5 influenza virus in a human in Colorado

CDPHE study reinforces Colorado’s commitment to vaccine equity

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

STATEWIDE (Jan. 3, 2022) — Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released a report that helps public health officials better understand and serve Coloradans when getting the COVID-19 vaccine. CDPHE designed the study with guidance from the Colorado School of Public Health to help our vaccine team understand how they can help eliminate disparities and ensure that all Coloradans have access to these life saving vaccines.  Specifically, CDPHE worked with Colorado School of Public Health to determine the modeling method that would allow a deeper understanding of the portion of vaccinated Coloradans who chose “other” or did not select a racial or ethnic option. 

The Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) is an essential tool in helping the state track COVID-19 vaccination rates, however it has about 9.8% of total records who are unidentified in terms of race or ethnicity. 

“Our aim with this study is to have the most complete picture possible of the vaccination data so we can tailor our strategies accordingly,” said Tara Trujillo, CDPHE deputy executive director who led the vaccine campaign over the summer and into the fall. “As the pandemic continues, and enthusiasm about vaccination reduces over time, this analysis gives us a better sense of how our vaccine outreach efforts have been working, while also showing us what additional work we have to do to reach historically underserved communities.” 

The report’s findings are incredibly important because vaccines remain the best available public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. CDPHE plans to add this modeling data to the vaccine data dashboard this month. 

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

CDPHE study reinforces Colorado’s commitment to vaccine equity

CDPHE adds geographic omicron wastewater information to wastewater dashboard landing page

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

STATEWIDE (Dec. 22, 2021) — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has added an omicron wastewater table to the wastewater dashboard landing page. The table provides omicron detection results by sewershed for those utilities submitting samples for testing. 

Testing wastewater can give health officials early warnings about increases or decreases in COVID-19 cases and help identify variants of concern within specific counties and communities. It is important to remember that it is not possible to identify individuals who may be ill based on measurements taken from wastewater. 

Omicron detections in wastewater have rapidly increased in the last week. At this time omicron has been detected in all participating wastewater utilities. This means there is likely widespread transmission of omicron in Colorado. Coloradans experiencing symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate. Testing is free and easy at one of the more than 140 free community testing centers across the state. More information about testing can be found at covid19.colorado.gov/testing.

Vaccines remain the best available public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. Early studies indicate that a third dose of an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) provides significant protection against serious illness or death from omicron variant, so Coloradans are encouraged to get vaccinated, get a third dose (if age 16+), wear a mask in indoor public spaces, limit large gatherings, wash their hands frequently, and practice physical distancing.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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El CDPHE agrega información geográfica sobre la presencia de la variante ómicron a la página de inicio del tablero de datos sobre aguas residuales

COLORADO (22 diciembre de 2021) — El Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado ha agregado una tabla sobre la presencia de la variante ómicron a su tablero de datos sobre aguas residuales. El tablero muestra los resultados de detección de la ómicron en cloacas y alcantarillas provenientes de los proveedores de servicios que presentaron muestras.

El análisis de aguas residuales puede proporcionar a los funcionarios de salud pública los primeros datos sobre el aumento o la disminución de los casos de COVID-19 y ayudar a identificar variantes de preocupación en determinados condados y comunidades. Es importante recordar que no es posible identificar a las personas que pueden estar infectadas sobre la base de mediciones tomadas en aguas residuales.

Las detecciones de ómicron en aguas residuales han aumentado rápidamente la última semana. A la fecha, esta variante ha sido hallada en las aguas residuales de todos los proveedores participantes. Esto implica que, probablemente, existe hoy en día una amplia transmisión de la ómicron en nuestro Estado. Los habitantes de Colorado que padecen síntomas de COVID-19 deben hacerse la prueba de detección de inmediato y proceder a aislarse. Hacerse la prueba es sencillo y gratuito en cualquiera de los 140 centros comunitarios gratuitos a través del Estado. Para mayor información sobre este tema, visite covid19.colorado.gov/ prueba.

Las vacunas siguen siendo la mejor herramienta de salud pública disponible para resguardar a las personas contra el COVID-19, frenar la transmisión del virus y reducir la probabilidad de que surjan nuevas variantes. Los primeros estudios indican que una tercera dosis de una vacuna de ARNm (Moderna o Pfizer) proporciona una protección significativa contra cuadros de enfermedad grave o muertes debidas a la variante ómicron. Por lo tanto, se insta a los habitantes de Colorado a vacunarse, aplicarse una tercera dosis (si son mayores de 16 años), llevar puesto el tapabocas en ambientes cerrados de acceso público, limitar las reuniones muy concurridas, lavarse las manos con frecuencia y poner en práctica el distanciamiento físico.

Continúe manteniéndose informado visitando covid19.colorado.gov.

CDPHE adds geographic omicron wastewater information to wastewater dashboard landing page

CDPHE to send text messages to Coloradans eligible for COVID-19 booster

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

REMOTE (Oct. 22, 2021) — Starting today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will send text notifications to many Coloradans who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. Over the next 13 days CDPHE will send text messages to people whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) indicate they are:

The text messages will go to over 1 million Coloradans. The text messages will be sent from 45778.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov


El CDPHE enviará mensajes de texto a los habitantes de Colorado que reúnen los requisitos necesarios para recibir una dosis de refuerzo de la vacuna contra el COVID-19

REMOTO (22 de octubre de 2021) — A partir de hoy, el Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (CDPHE por sus siglas en inglés) estará enviando mensajes de texto a los habitantes de nuestro Estado que califican para recibir una dosis de refuerzo de la vacuna contra el COVID-19. Durante los próximos 13 días, el CDPHE mandará mensajes de texto a aquellos individuos que —según el Sistema de Información de Inmunización de Colorado— pertenecen a uno de estos grupos poblacionales.

  • Personas de 18 o más años de edad que completaron su esquema de vacunación de Pfizer o Moderna al menos hace 6 meses.
  • Personas de 18 o más años de edad que recibieron su dosis inicial de Johnson & Johnson al menos hace 2 meses.

Los mensajes de texto se enviarán desde el número 45778 y llegarán a más de un millón de habitantes de nuestro Estado.

Continúe manteniéndose informado visitando covid19.colorado.gov.

CDPHE to send text messages to Coloradans eligible for COVID-19 booster