Human bird flu spreads in Colorado's farms

Jul 24, 2024

Rising human cases of bird flu in Colorado's farms

By Farms.com

The bird flu outbreak in Colorado has escalated with the confirmation of additional human cases by U.S. health authorities.

The outbreak originated at a poultry farm in Weld County, where workers faced exposure during efforts to contain the virus, leading to several human infections.

These latest developments increase the total human cases linked to this outbreak to six, with a seventh case under investigation. These individuals, involved in culling operations of 1.8 million birds, reported mild symptoms and have been treated with antivirals.

The spread has been exacerbated by extreme working conditions, including high temperatures that made protective gear less effective, according to health officials. This has raised concerns about farm safety practices and the potential for wider transmission among farm workers.

The state has intensified its response, increasing testing and monitoring, especially given the concentration of its dairy production in the affected area.

Although the risk to the public remains minimal, the situation underscores the challenges of managing such outbreaks in commercial agricultural settings.

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.