Colorado Reports First Human Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in 2024, Fourth in U.S. with Mild Symptoms

Jul 3, 2024, 06:15 PM

Colorado has reported its first human case of H5N1 bird flu in 2024, involving a dairy farm worker who experienced mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis, and has since recovered. This marks the fourth person infected with H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. this year, with previous cases reported in Texas and Michigan. The individual experienced eye inflammation and a quick recovery. The outbreak has significantly impacted dairy herds in Colorado, which has seen 27 infected herds, contributing to a cumulative national total of 141 infected herds across 12 states since March 25, 2024. The USDA's total stands at 139, with some herds yet to be included in the official count. The CDC has issued a statement regarding the fourth human case linked to dairy cows.