Discover Healthy Tips to Combat Avian Influenza Outbreak in Colorado

A massive Avian influenza outbreak has struck a commercial egg operation in Weld County , Colorado , prompting Governor Jared Polis to declare a disaster emergency . The outbreak has affected a flock of 1.78 million chickens , all of which will have to be euthanized to prevent the further spread of the virus . This marks the first time a commercial facility in Colorado has been hit by avian flu since December 2022 and only the second time since that date.

The avian flu situation in Weld County has raised national concerns , as federal officials have been detecting the presence of the virus in domestic cattle herds across the country . Colorado is reporting more cases among dairy cows than any other state . While cattle usually survive the infection with mild symptoms , birds are not as fortunate . The virus has the potential to mutate and spread , with the capacity to jump from birds to cattle and even humans.

Following standard protocol , all birds in an affected flock must be culled to prevent the spread of the disease . Farmers are encouraged to follow strict biosecurity measures to minimize the risk of avian flu transmission . Notably , the virus has already shown the ability to spread to humans , with an employee of a dairy farm contracting avian flu from animals on site . Health officials maintain that the risk to humans is low , especially when handling pasteurized milk products and beef.

The outbreak in Weld County is the second - largest in a commercial flock since the initial detection of avian flu in Colorado in 2002 . The virus , known as highly pathogenic avian influenza , has also been circulating in Colorado dairy herds . However , infections in cattle have rarely been fatal compared to birds . When bird flu infiltrates a poultry farm , the standard protocol is to cull the entire flock and destroy any eggs to contain the spread of the disease.

In recent years , Colorado has seen a resurgence of avian flu cases , with a peak in commercial cullings in 2022 . While most reported cases in 2023 were in backyard or small commercial operations and wild birds , a grim resurgence occurred in February when 67,000 chickens were killed in an outbreak in Delta County . The state has identified two cases of avian influenza in humans , both of which were mild and linked to close contact with infected animals . As the authorities continue to monitor the situation , it is crucial for individuals who work closely with birds and cattle to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.