EPH provides hand sanitizer to golfers in light of avian flu concerns
Estes Park Health delivered small hand sanitizer dispensers that can hang on golf bags to the EVPRD golf courses this week. Along with county, state, and federal health officials, EPH is keeping track of the Avian flu outbreak that has infected mostly farm workers. However, wild birds (like ducks and geese) can also carry the H5N1 bird flu. Infected birds have virus in their saliva, mucous and droppings (feces).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after contact with birds or animals. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Common symptoms of avian flu in people include pink eye and flu-like problems like cough, runny nose, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
Estes Park Health clinical healthcare workers have been educated on the protocol for detecting and treating avian flu in people in case the disease shows up here.
Risk to the general public appear to be low.
The CDC The U.S. has deployed a nine-member field team to Colorado to help the state manage a bird flu outbreak in humans and poultry in nearby Weld County.