Avian Flu Detected In Northeast Colorado

DENVER, CO — An outbreak of avian flu has made its way to Colorado, with officials detecting the virus on Thursday in Sedgwick County among Snow and Ross' Geese.

Six cases were confirmed Thursday in the county, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The virus is known to infect poultry — chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl — and wild birds, according to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The virus also comes in two forms: Highly pathogenic avian influenza and Low pathogenicity avian influenza.

The latter generally causes little to no sign of illness, while the former is extremely contagious and potentially lethal to flocks of poultry, according to the USDA. Because of the potential lethality of this disease, outbreaks can increase poultry prices and impact the industry.

The Animal and Plant Health Service "works with its federal, state, local and industry partners to quickly mobilize a response to any [highly pathogenic avian influenza] findings," the USDA wrote on its website. "The goal is to quickly contain and eradicate the disease, protecting our poultry industry, and in turn, the American consumer."

Though there have been confirmations of Avian flu in commercial and backyard flocks across the country, Coloradan commercial and backyard flocks are, as of Tuesday, free from the virus, according to the USDA.

The spread of the virus also prompted the Denver Zoo to shelter its birds indoors to best protect them from the potential spread of the disease.

Though the virus can have a devastating impact on birds and the poultry industry, it poses little risk to humans, according to the CDC.