Five Human Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) Reported in Colorado: CDC Sends Team to Investigate

Northeast Colorado, Colorado United States of America
CDC advises people to avoid unprotected exposures to animal waste, bedding, unpasteurized milk or materials contaminated by birds or animals with H5N1 virus
CDC sent team to investigate outbreak at poultry farm
Five human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) reported in Colorado
Four cases among farm workers, one pending confirmation
New human illnesses come after three presumptive-positive cases on Friday
Five Human Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) Reported in Colorado: CDC Sends Team to Investigate

A recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Colorado has resulted in five confirmed human cases, according to reports from various sources.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent a team to Colorado following the increase in human cases over the weekend. Four of these cases were reported among farm workers involved in depopulating poultry at a facility experiencing an outbreak of H5N1 virus. A fifth case is pending confirmation.

The new human illness cases come after three presumptive-positive cases were reported by Colorado on Friday, bringing the state's total to five and the national count to seven.

Colorado requested the CDC team be sent to help with the ongoing investigation. All of these individuals experienced mild symptoms.

The H5N1 virus is believed to have arrived at the poultry farm through infected cattle, although this has not been confirmed. The CDC advises people to avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 virus.

The CDC offers interim recommendations for preventing and monitoring H5N1 virus infections in people. Following these recommendations is central to reducing a person's risk and containing the overall public health risk.

This outbreak underscores the importance of taking precautions when dealing with infected animals, as human cases have been rare but deadly since 2003. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • Are all five human cases confirmed and not just presumptive-positive?
  • Is it confirmed that infected cattle were the source of the H5N1 virus at the poultry farm?

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

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

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Brenda Goodman Tuesday, 16 July 2024 21:13
  • Unique Points
    • Five workers fell ill with H5N1 virus while culling chickens in Colorado.
    • Significant egg-producing operation involved about 160 people culling 1.8 million chickens.
  • Accuracy
    • CDC is investigating the outbreak along with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
    • At the time of infection, Colorado was experiencing temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Large industrial fans were blowing in barns to reduce temperatures, but they also spread feathers carrying the virus.
    • Four confirmed cases and one probable case among farm workers in Colorado this year.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the challenges faced by workers in maintaining PPE during extreme heat while culling infected chickens. The author does not provide any counter-arguments or mention any potential measures taken to mitigate these challenges, making the article one-sided. Additionally, there is a lack of disclosure regarding sources for some statements made in the article.
    • Four of the Colorado cases have been confirmed by the CDC.
    • Sixty people have shown symptoms consistent with bird flu, and all but five have tested negative at a state laboratory.
    • The incident has quickly doubled the number of farm workers known to be infected with H5N1 virus in the United States, and it is the largest number of workers known to be infected in connection with a single farm.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author uses an appeal to authority fallacy when quoting Dr. Nirav Shah stating that 'Searing heat may have played a role in the infections of five workers' and 'We understand those large fans were moving so much air the workers were finding it hard to maintain a good seal or a good fit either between the mask or with eye protection.' These statements imply that the extreme heat is directly causing the fallacies, but no causal relationship has been established. Additionally, there is an implicit dichotomous depiction of heat and safety in relation to PPE use.
    • Searing heat may have played a role in the infections of five workers
    • We understand those large fans were moving so much air the workers were finding it hard to maintain a good seal or a good fit either between the mask or with eye protection.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Colorado workers exposed to bird flu while killing infected chickens, feds say

USA Today Tuesday, 16 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Four workers at a commercial egg-laying facility in northeast Colorado are confirmed infected with bird flu, and another is presumed to have contracted the virus.
    • All workers suffered some combination of fever, chills, coughing and/or eye infections and were given Tamiflu.
    • The H5N1 virus likely arrived at the Weld County poultry farm through infected cattle, though this has not been confirmed.
  • Accuracy
    • The risk to the general public remains low as the virus’s genetic sequence has not changed substantially since December.
    • Poultry are very susceptible and easily infected; once any poultry on a farm are infected with H5N1, the only way to contain the virus is to kill the entire flock.
    • The CDC recommends improved ventilation and systematic use of personal protective equipment to better control risks in the future.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article reports on the largest bird flu outbreak among U.S. workers to date and mentions that four workers have been confirmed infected with bird flu and another presumed to have contracted it, but the author does not disclose their identity. This is a violation of the analysis rules as it involves statements made by someone other than www.usatoday.com which are not considered in this analysis. Additionally, the article uses emotional manipulation by describing how industrial fans blew feathers and other infected items through sweltering barns, exposing workers to the virus and causing discomfort while wearing PPE, leading to their infections. This is an attempt to elicit sympathy for the workers and create a sense of urgency around the situation.
    • Their goggles or N95 face masks apparently slipped as industrial fans blew feathers and other infected items through the sweltering barns, exposing them to the virus
    • This likely caused the infections in five workers, officials said.
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential dichotomous depiction. It repeatedly cites federal health officials and the USDA as sources of information, which could be seen as an appeal to authority. Additionally, there may be a dichotomous depiction in the description of the virus's route of transmission: it suggests that either the virus was passed from cattle to chickens or it wasn't, without considering other possible routes. No formal or informal fallacies were found in the content of direct quotes.
    • Federal health officials said Tuesday.
    • Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said...
    • Dr. Eric Deeble, acting senior adviser for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's H5N1 Response, said...
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird Flu (H5N1) Explained: U.S. Human Infections Rise To 9

Forbes Magazine Arianna Johnson Tuesday, 16 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Fourth and fifth human cases of bird flu were confirmed in Colorado poultry farm workers.
    • Three workers at a commercial egg operation in Colorado have presumptive positive cases of bird flu, bringing the state’s count to five and the national count to seven.
    • Colorado reported its second human case of bird flu in a dairy farm worker who has since recovered with mild symptoms.
  • Accuracy
    • Fourth and fifth human cases were confirmed in Colorado poultry farm workers.
    • Three workers at a commercial egg operation in Colorado have presumptive positive cases of bird flu.
    • Finland plans to begin vaccinating vulnerable populations against bird flu as early as next week using 10,000 vaccine series obtained through an EU deal.
    • A four-year-old child in India was infected with H9N2 bird flu but recovered after suffering from seizures, respiratory distress, fever and abdominal cramps.
    • Dozens of cows have been infected with bird flu.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

CDC sends team to Colorado as human bird flu cases double over the weekend

Food Safety News Dan Flynn Tuesday, 16 July 2024 04:03
  • Unique Points
    • The CDC has sent a nine-member team to Colorado due to the increase in human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 bird flu).
    • Four additional human cases of H5 bird flu emerged in Northern Colorado over the weekend, doubling the count from before the weekend. A fifth case is pending.
    • The new human illness cases are among farm workers who were involved in depopulating poultry at a facility experiencing an outbreak of the H5N1 virus.
    • Colorado requested the CDC team be sent to help with ongoing investigation and all presumptive-positive cases involved workers who experienced mild symptoms.
  • Accuracy
    • Four additional human cases of H5 bird flu emerged in Northern Colorado over the weekend, doubling the count from before the weekend.
    • Before the past weekend, the total number of human bird flu cases in the United States stood at five.
    • CDC advises people to avoid unprotected exposures to animal waste, unpasteurized milk, or materials close to infected birds or animals.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication