Colorado Heat Wave Exacerbates Bird Flu Outbreak Among Poultry Workers

Extreme heat in Colorado may have contributed to the infection of five workers with the H5N1 bird flu virus while culling chickens. The heat made it difficult to use personal protective equipment effectively, and large fans used to cool the barns likely spread contaminated dust and feathers. The CDC and state health officials are investigating, and there are calls to reconsider PPE guidelines and possibly vaccinate farm workers to better protect them.