Colorado bird flu cases suggest extreme heat may be complicating efforts to control the virus

Category: Health

Searing heat may have played a role in the infections of five workers who fell ill while culling chickens infected with the H5N1 virus in Colorado. The workers faced challenges in using personal protective equipment due to the high temperatures and large industrial fans blowing dust and feathers. The CDC is investigating the outbreak, and genetic analysis of the virus showed no mutations indicating increased human spread. The workers are recovering with antiviral medication, and the CDC is refining PPE recommendations to account for heat.

Keywords: H5N1 virus, Colorado, CDC, farm workers, personal protective equipment

Source: CNN

Update At: 7/17/2024

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