State health, agriculture, and emergency officials have ended their coordinated response to a recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial egg facility in Weld County. The response concluded after the completion of poultry depopulation and disposal operations, with no human cases of avian flu identified during the incident.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Agriculture, State Emergency Operation Center, and Weld County worked together to support both the farm and responders throughout the event. CDPHE tested four workers who reported mild symptoms following involvement in poultry depopulation activities; all results were negative for avian flu. There have been no confirmed human cases of avian influenza in Colorado since 2024.
“Poultry depopulation operations can be physically and emotionally demanding,” said Rachel Herlihy, deputy chief medical officer and state epidemiologist. “Based on the lessons learned from prior responses, we prioritized early health monitoring and behavioral health support to ensure workers had access to care and resources throughout this operation.”
CDPHE’s Disaster Behavioral Health team was deployed soon after the initial detection in late January. The team engaged with over 100 responders, workers, and farm leaders, providing psychological first aid and mental health resources to help manage stress related to the response.
In collaboration with farm leadership, CDPHE also offered daily health screenings for staff, testing for symptomatic workers who requested it, medical guidance as needed, and access to local public health resources.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture—led by Commissioner Kate Greenberg according to its official website—and its partners completed all depopulation and disposal work at the facility by Friday, February 6. The Incident Command Post was demobilized over the weekend. The site is now undergoing virus elimination procedures while remaining under quarantine as required.
Officials stressed that properly handled and cooked poultry products remain safe for consumption. They advised that standard food safety practices—including correct handling and thorough cooking—are effective against bacteria and viruses such as avian flu.
Individuals working with poultry or dairy cattle who develop flu-like symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention or contact CDPHE at 303-692-2700 (after hours: 303-370-9395). CDPHE can facilitate testing for influenza viruses and provide antiviral medication if necessary.
For further information about avian flu in humans or ongoing state efforts regarding HPAI detections, visit CDPHE’s avian flu webpage or the Colorado Department of Agriculture website. The department employs more than 300 staff members statewide supporting agriculture across over 36,000 farms and ranches that contribute significantly to Colorado’s economy (source). It also leads initiatives promoting food safety standards, environmental stewardship, pollinator health programs like honey bee surveys (source), consumer protection efforts (source), as well as supporting community agricultural projects since its founding in 1933 (source).
