Free PPE for Ag Workers
The safety of our agricultural workers is of critical importance. CDA's Agricultural Worker Services program staff has been working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to help provide free protective equipment to ag workers.
If you or someone you know works in the poultry or dairy industry, please take advantage of the free protective personal equipment (PPE) available through CDPHE.
Order up to four weeks of free PPE
Learn more about the Ag Worker Services Program
Servicios para trabajadores/as Agricolas
To learn more about services available in your area in both English and Spanish, contact Aldo Parra, Agricultural Worker Services Program Manager.
Federal Support and Response
Other Animal Species
Wild Birds
Wild birds, especially water fowl, may be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza without showing symptoms. Learn more about HPAI and wild birds from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Coloradans are asked not to touch any dead birds they find on public lands and not to walk on ice to retrieve any carcasses. Do not handle any dead or dying birds.
For individual carcasses found on private property, if necessary, members of the public may wear a mask and gloves to pick up a carcass, immediately double bag it, and place the bags in municipal trash. Discard gloves and mask and wash your hands immediately afterwards.
If you find three or more dead wild birds in a specific area within a two week period, you may notify your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office.
Mammals
There are many species of animals potentially susceptible to HPAI. In addition to birds and poultry, H5N1 viruses have been detected in some mammals. Infection may cause illness, including severe disease and death in some cases. The USDA is tracking mammalian detections on the national level.
In Colorado, CDA is coordinating the response to detections in wild animals with the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Companion animals
Although the risk is lower than it is to birds and cases are rare, domestic animals (e.g., cats or dogs) could become infected with avian flu if they go outside and eat or are exposed to sick or dead birds infected with avian flu viruses, or an environment contaminated with feces of infected birds.
People should avoid contact between their pets and wild birds or areas contaminated with avian flu virus.
If you suspect your pet may have been exposed to HPAI, and is showing symptoms of illness, contact your veterinarian and monitor yourself for symptoms.
Avian Influenza News
CDA & Other Press Releases
- July 23, 2024 - Colorado State Veterinarian Now Requiring HPAI Testing of Commercial Dairy Cow Operations (CDA)
- July 8, 2024 - Gov. Polis Verbally Declares Disaster Emergency to Support Colorado Agriculture in Response to Avian Flu Outbreak in Weld County (Gov. Polis)
- June 17, 2024 - State Veterinarian Issues Guidance for Dairy Cattle Exhibitions, Ag Events (CDA)
- May 1, 2024 - Colorado Ag Commission Approves Avian Influenza Emergency Rule
- April 26, 2024 - USDA Confirms Detection of Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle in Colorado
CDPHE Press Releases
- July 25, 2024 - State health officials to publish data table for human cases of avian flu in Colorado
- July 20, 2024 - State health officials closely monitor farms responding to avian flu spread in poultry and cows
- July 19, 2024 - State health officials provide updated data on human cases of avian flu in poultry workers
- July 14, 2024 - Health officials confirm human cases of avian flu in Colorado poultry workers
- July 12, 2024 - Colorado state health officials identify possible cases of avian flu in Colorado poultry workers
- July 3, 2024 - Colorado state health officials identify a human case of avian flu
- February 14, 2023 - CDPHE reminds Coloradans to avoid wild birds as avian flu continues to circulate in the state