Colorado Man 1st Human In Country To Test Positive For Avian Flu

DENVER, CO — An inmate at a state correctional facility in Delta County tested positive for avian flu on Wednesday, health officials said. He is the first human in the U.S. to test positive for the virus.

The man, who is currently isolated and receiving treatment through the antiviral drug oseltamivir (tamiflu), is younger than 40 and is largely asymptomatic, according to health officials. He has only reported fatigue.

"Scientists believe that the risk to people is low as H5 flu viruses spread among wild birds and poultry," health officials said in a news release. "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."

The man's positive test for the virus has been attributed to a direct exposure to an infected flock of poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County, health officials said. The man was working at the farm as part of a pre-release employment program.

"The affected flock has been euthanized and disposed of under the guidance of the USDA and CDA," the release read. "All members of the response team, including other inmate workers, were provided personal protective equipment while working on the farm."

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said that people should avoid contact with poultry that appear ill or dead, as well as with surfaces that might have been contaminated by infected birds. For those that must work with sick or dead birds, the CDC recommends wearing gloves, masks and goggles and thoroughly washing your hands afterward.

The health department says that, properly handling and cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees will kill any bacteria and viruses, including the avian flu, making poultry safe to eat.

"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.