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Three Colorado Poultry Workers Presumed Positive for Bird Flu

CDC and state health officials investigate as bird flu cases in humans and animals increase across the U.S.

This Transmission Electron Micrograph Tem, Taken At A Magnification Of 108,000X, Revealed The Ultrastructural Details Of Two Avian Influenza A H5N1 Virions, A Type Of Bird Flu Virus, Which Is A Subtype Of Avian Influenza A. At This Magnification, One May Note The Stippled Appearance Of The Roughened Surface Of The Proteinaceous Coat Encasing Each Virion. Although This Virus Does Not Typically Infect Humans, In 1997, The First Instance Of Direct Bird To Human Spread Of Influenza A H5N1 Virus Was Documented During An Outbreak Of Avian Influenza Among Poultry In Hong Kong. The Virus Caused Severe Respiratory Illness In 18 People, Of Whom, 6 Had Died. Since That Time, There Have Been Other Instances Of H5N1 Infection Among Humans. During August To October, 2004, Sporadic Human Cases Of Avian Influenza A H5N1 Were Reported In Vietnam And Thailand. Since December, 2004, A Resurgence Of Poultry Outbreaks And Human Cases Has Been Reported In Vietnam. On February 2, 2005, The First Of Four Human Cases Of H5N1 Infection From Cambodia Was Reported. On July 21, 2005, The First Human Case Of H5N1 In Indonesia Was Reported, And Since Then Indonesia Has Continued To Report Human Cases In August, September, And October, 2005. (Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The workers exhibited mild symptoms like pink eye and respiratory issues but were not hospitalized.
  • CDC is conducting confirmatory tests and has sent a team to support the investigation.
  • There have been seven human bird flu cases in the U.S. this year, linked to poultry and dairy farms.
  • Health experts express concern over the virus's potential to cause severe disease and a possible pandemic.
  • Precautions are advised for those in close contact with infected animals, but public risk remains low.