The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first known human case of H5 bird flu in the state of Colorado.
According to Xinhua news agency, the person tested positive for the avian influenza A (H5) virus and was involved in the culling of poultry suspected of having H5N1 bird flu.
The patient reported fatigue as the only symptom for a few days and has since recovered.
The patient is being isolated and is being treated with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir, according to the CDC.
“This case does not change the human risk assessment for the general public, which CDC considers to be low,” the health agency said.
Since late 2021, when these outbreaks were detected in wild birds and poultry, the CDC has been monitoring for illness among people who have been exposed to H5N1 virus-infected birds.
According to the CDC, H5N1 viruses have been discovered in commercial and backyard birds in 29 states, as well as wild birds in 34 states.
The agency has tracked the health of over 2,500 people who have been exposed to H5N1 virus-infected birds, and this is the only human case discovered to date.
It is the second human case in the world associated with the current dominant group of H5 viruses.
The first case was reported in the United Kingdom in December 2021.
