Headlines — April 29, 2022

Headlines for April 29, 2022

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Western Slope Poultry Worker Tests Positive With Avian Flu 

Officials with the State Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention confirmed the first human case of avian flu in the United States involving a poultry worker in western Colorado. 

As part of its monitoring and testing protocols for individuals exposed to infected birds, officials administered a nasal test earlier in the week to a man who works at a Montrose County poultry farm affected by the avian flu.

The test revealed H5N1 influenza, although repeat testing showed negative results. 

According to the state health department, the man, who is under the age of 40, is asymptomatic and is reporting only fatigue. 

Health officials do not know the extent of man’s exposure and say it is possible the virus was only present in the worker’s nose without causing an infection. 

The worker is in isolation and is also receiving an influenza antiviral drug per the guidance of the CDC. 

According to health officials, human infections of H5 avian viruses are rare, but direct and prolonged exposure to infected birds increases the risk. 

Gun Violence Closes Denver’s La Alma Park and Rec. Center 

Denver officials have temporarily closed La Alma Park and Rec. Center after a fatal shooting and gun violence earlier in the week.

A 63-year-old man died Wednesday night while attempting to break up a fight at the park between two teenage girls

Police have arrested the boyfriend of one girl who they allege pulled out a gun and shot the good Samaritan.

Police also said they responded to shots fired late Tuesday night, which resulted in no reported injuries.

A parks and recreation spokesperson told The Denver Post that the city also moved the location of its softball league as Tuesday’s shooting occurred during a game.

According to the spokesperson, the park has closed three times in recent months because of violence.  

Aurora Prosecutors Finish Review of Cases Involving Discredited Cops 

The city of Aurora’s attorney office has sent out letters to 917 people who may have been impacted by an officer whose credibility is in question–otherwise known as a Brady letter. 

This event comes after Presiding Judge Shawn Day who ordered the city attorney’s office to release information about an officer’s conduct and reliability by reviewing court records from the past two years. 

“Brady Letters” act as objective informers on whether a police officer’s credibility is in question either for lying or harboring some unlawful bias. 

849 of the 917  did not require the information because of plea deals or failure to appear in court. Those with set court dates have also received the information, which will be crucial for upcoming hearings.