The first person to contract avian influenza in the U.S. has recovered from the illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
“The patient reported fatigue for a few days as their only symptom and has since recovered,” CDC said. “The patient is being isolated and treated with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir.”
Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment said the positive result “is due to direct exposure to infected poultry at a commercial farm in Montrose County. The person, who is an inmate at a state correctional facility in Delta County, was working with poultry as part of a pre-release employment program where participants have the opportunity to work for private employers and be paid a prevailing wage.” The flock has been euthanized.
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“This case does not change the human risk assessment for the general public, which CDC considers to be low,” CDC said. “However, people who have job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds are at higher risk of infection should take appropriate precautions outlined in CDC guidance.”
The HPAI outbreak has hit 32 states and affected more than 36 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
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