“Experts say they have lost faith in the government’s ability to contain the outbreak. “We are in a terrible situation and going into a worse situation,” said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. “I don’t know if the bird flu will become a pandemic, but if it does, we are screwed.” To understand how the bird flu got out of hand, KFF Health News interviewed nearly 70 government officials, farmers and farmworkers, and researchers with expertise in virology, pandemics, veterinary medicine, and more.”
to read the full story go to https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241220/How-America-lost-control-of-the-bird-flu-setting-the-stage-for-another-pandemic.aspx
“Rapid spread of H5N1 bird flu through California dairy herds suggests unknown paths of transmission” By Megan Molteni “In the ongoing outbreak of H5N1 bird flu among the nation’s dairy cattle, federal officials have consistently expressed confidence that they know enough about how the virus is spreading to put a stop to it. But among epidemiologists and other infectious disease experts, there has been skepticism that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s theory of viral transmission is telling the whole story. And perhaps there is no greater cause for scrutiny than what’s currently happening in California.”
to read the full story go to https://www.statnews.com/2024/12/20/california-h5n1-bird-flu-emergency-declaration-avian-flu-spread-dairy-cattle/
“The case in Louisiana reveals little new information about the virus: H5N1 has always had the capacity to make individuals very sick. The more birds, cows, and other animals exposed people to the virus, and the more people got sick, the greater the chance that one of those cases would look like this. That an infected teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized with respiratory distress last month only emphasized that not every human case would be mild. Now here we are, with a severe case in the United States a little over a month later.”
to read the full article go to https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/12/america-bird-flu-severe-case/681115/
“How Worried Should We Be About Bird Flu?” By Dani Blum
“There isn’t any evidence so far that the virus can spread between humans. Every time the virus infects another person or animal, however, it has an opportunity to mutate, and scientists are closely watching whether the virus will gain mutations that make it more easily able to spread from human to human. “I’ve been sleeping with one eye open about this virus for many years,” Dr. Osterholm said. It’s important to track the virus and be prepared for the possibility that it could spread between humans, he said.”
to read the full article go to https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/well/bird-flu-health-risks.html
“What to Know About Bird Flu in the U.S. After CDC Announces First ‘Severe’ Human Case” By Chad de Guzman and Rebecca Schneid
“….it is also important to get the seasonal human influenza vaccine. They say if there were to be a case of a person with simultaneous bird flu and human flu infection, it could lead to a “reassortment” and thus a virus that could be more easily spread”
to read the full article go to https://time.com/7203290/bird-flu-united-states-severe-case-h5n1-explainer/
“Avian Flu Has Hit Dairies So Hard That They’re Calling It ‘Covid for Cows’” By Soumya KarlamanglaOrlando Mayorquín and Jesus Jiménez “A fast-growing outbreak of avian flu has upended California’s dairy industry, the nation’s largest producer of milk, infecting most of the state’s herds and putting thousands of farmworkers at risk for contracting the virus.”
to read the full article go to https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/us/bird-flu-california-covid-cows.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare#:~:text=Avian%20Flu%20Has,contracting%20the%20virus.
First human case of bird flu found in Wisconsin By Corey Moen https://www.channel3000.com/news/first-human-case-of-bird-flu-found-in-wisconsin/article_59e56bc6-bd7b-11ef-bee6-3b528b191b81.html
At least 1 human case of bird flu reported in Texas in latest US outbreak, CDC says By Marley Malenfant https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/12/19/bird-flu-texas-2024-cases-deadly-severe-symptoms/77083509007/
“America’s first severe case of bird flu confirmed in Louisiana”
By Jamie Gumbrecht and Brenda Goodman
“A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1 bird flu, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, the first such case in the United States. The agency said Wednesday that the person was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks; this is the first US bird flu case linked to a backyard flock. “It is believed that the patient that was reported by Louisiana had exposure to sick or dead birds on their property. These are not commercial poultry, and there was no exposure to dairy cows or their related products,”…
to read the full article go to https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/18/health/severe-bird-flu-louisiana-first-us-case/index.html
“California declares state of emergency over bird flu” by Joseph Choi
““Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information,” he added.”
to read the full story go to https://doctordidyouwashyourhands.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=12502&action=edit
“Bird flu is a real pandemic threat. Are we prepared for the worst?”
By Devi Sridhar
“Looking forward, it wouldn’t be wise to just assume it won’t further mutate or will be a mild strain. If I worked in a government health department, I would be preparing plans for how best to respond to more avian flu cases in humans, including GP and hospital guidance, vaccine and antiviral testing and stockpiling and containment plans.”
to read the full article go to https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/16/bird-flu-pandemic-threat-prepared
“When asked in an interview for TIME’s 2024 Person of the Year whether he would approve of an end to childhood vaccination programs, Trump said he would have a “big discussion” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the vaccine skeptic he has tapped to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “The autism rate is at a level that nobody ever believed possible,” Trump continued. “If you look at things that are happening, there’s something causing it.” Trump did not explicitly say in the interview that vaccines cause autism, a false claim that traces back to a retracted study from the 1990s. When pressed on the issue, Trump said his administration will complete “very serious testing,” after which “we will know for sure what’s good and what’s not good.” But merely by suggesting that there may be a connection between vaccines and autism, Trump has reaffirmed his alignment with the misinformation that has for years fueled anti-vaccine movements.”
to read the full story go to https://time.com/7201582/donald-trump-vaccines-fact-check-2024/
“Kennedy’s Lawyer Has Asked the F.D.A. to Revoke Approval of the Polio Vaccine” By Christina Jewett and Sheryl Gay Stolberg
“The lawyer helping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pick federal health officials for the incoming Trump administration has petitioned the government to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine, which for decades has protected millions of people from a virus that can cause paralysis or death. That campaign is just one front in the war that the lawyer, Aaron Siri, is waging against vaccines of all kinds. Mr. Siri has also filed a petition seeking to pause the distribution of 13 other vaccines; challenged, and in some cases quashed, Covid vaccine mandates around the country; sued federal agencies for the disclosure of records related to vaccine approvals; and subjected prominent vaccine scientists to grueling videotaped depositions.”
to read the full article go to https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/health/aaron-siri-rfk-jr-vaccines.html
“Biden administration has no current plans to authorize a bird flu vaccine for humans” By Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
“Biden administration officials said Wednesday they have no current plans to authorize a stockpiled bird flu vaccine, despite an escalating outbreak among livestock in the U.S. and at least 58 human infections across seven states.” The move means any decisions about a bird flu vaccine will likely be left to health officials in the incoming Trump administration, who may be led by anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.” “The virus’s spread in mammals that have close contact with humans is concerning for public health experts, because it gives the bird flu many opportunities to jump to people and potentially mutate to spread effectively from person to person.”
to read the full article go to https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/biden-administration-no-current-plans-authorize-bird-flu-vaccine-human-rcna183848
Cats in L.A. County die after drinking recalled raw milk By Susanne Rust https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-12-12/cats-in-la-county-die-after-drinking-recalled-raw-milk
Six Childhood Scourges We’ve Forgotten About, Thanks to Vaccines By Emily Baumgaertner https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/health/childhood-diseases-vaccines-preventable.html
McConnell blasts ‘effort to undermine’ polio vaccine linked to RFK Jr.
“According to a new study published Dec. 9 in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections, domestic cats could become an unexpected player in the evolution and transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus, potentially creating opportunities for it to become more dangerous.”
“While there is no evidence that cats have transmitted H5N1 to humans, researchers caution that these pets may still present a risk.
If a cat were infected with both H5N1 and a seasonal flu virus at the same time, the bird flu virus could potentially acquire the mutations needed to spread widely among humans.
Cats frequently mingle with both wild animals and people, which could turn them into a bridge for the virus to evolve.”
“Each year norovirus causes an average 900 deaths, 109,000 hospitalizations, 465,000 emergency room visits, and 19 to 21 million illnesses in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It’s that time of year again, when the misery of norovirus strikes much of the U.S. Each year the pathogen causes an average of 900 deaths, 109,000 hospitalizations, 465,000 emergency room visits, and 19 to 21 million illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency reports national norovirus trends as three-week moving averages of positive test rates. So far in the 2024–25 season, infections peaked the week of Nov. 30, 2024, at 17.06% positivity.”
“Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States.” “Meg Schaeffer, an epidemiologist at the US-based SAS Institute, told AFP there were now several factors suggesting that “avian flu is knocking on our door and could start a new pandemic any day”. “A bird flu pandemic would be one of the most foreseeable catastrophes in history,” read the headline of a New York Times opinion article late last month.” to read the full article go to https://www.barrons.com/news/knocking-on-our-door-experts-warn-of-bird-flu-s-pandemic-threat-5e78fe02
“A Single Mutation Could Bring Bird Flu a Critical Step Closer to a New Pandemic” By David Nield
“The virus has a fatality rate of 50 percent in humans, so animal infections need to be carefully monitored and tightly controlled to stop the spreading strain of H5N1 adapting into something that one person can give directly to another. While several of these morphing mutations are usually needed to put humans in danger from avian influenza, this time the transformation process could be quicker, scientists from the Scripps Research Institute in California found. “The findings demonstrate how easily this virus could evolve to recognize human-type receptors,” says infectious disease scientist Ting-Hui Lin, first author of the new study.” to read the full article go to https://www.sciencealert.com/a-single-mutation-could-bring-bird-flu-a-critical-step-closer-to-a-new-pandemic
“California Child May Have Bird Flu After Drinking Raw Milk” by Nicole Lou . “A possible case of H5N1 bird flu virus in a California child has been linked to raw milk consumption and is under investigation by state health officials and the CDC. The patient experienced fever and vomiting after drinking raw milk and has since recovered, according to an announcement by Marin County Public Healthopens in a new tab or window. Officials said that the risk to the public remains low, as there was no evidence of person-to person transmission between the child and her family members.” “The case stands out for being outside the usual farm work setting.” to read the full article go to https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/publichealth/113341#:~:text=In%20California%2C%20officials%20recently%20quarantined,contain%20dangerous%20bacteria%20and%20viruses
“China reports two more H9N2 avian flu cases” By Lisa Schnirring
“China has reported two more human H9N2 avian flu cases, which involve children in two different provinces, Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said today in its weekly avian flu update.” “H9N2 is known to circulate in poultry in the region, where sporadic infections are reported, especially in children, who typically experience mild disease following exposure to poultry. The new cases raise China’s H9N2 total for the year to 15 cases.” https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/china-reports-two-more-h9n2-avian-flu-cases
“For the H5N1 influenza virus to spark a human pandemic, its genome must acquire mutations that alter several of its proteins. Some have now been seen in viruses infecting people, but none of those appear to have transmitted onward.”
to read the full article go to https://www.science.org/content/article/why-hasn-t-bird-flu-pandemic-started#:~:text=For%20the%20H5N1%20influenza%20virus,appear%20to%20have%20transmitted%20onward
“H5N1 bird flu is closer to gaining pandemic potential than we thought”
By Michael Le Page
“The H5N1 bird flu virus that has spread worldwide is already better at infecting people than earlier strains. What’s more, a single mutation could allow it to infect the cells lining our noses and throats, making it more likely to go airborne. This change alone is not enough for the virus to be capable of causing a pandemic. However, if a virus with this mutation swapped genes with a human flu virus, it could acquire pandemic potential almost instantly.”
to read the full article go to https://www.newscientist.com/article/2459077-h5n1-bird-flu-is-closer-to-gaining-pandemic-potential-than-we-thought/#:~:text=The%20H5N1%20bird%20flu%20virus,more%20likely%20to%20go%20airborne
“It’s Time to End the Denial About Bird Flu” By Crystal Heath and Gene Baur
“Pigs can foster the creation of a more virulent and transmissible human pathogen due to their ability to harbor both avian and human influenza viruses. Yet, officials continue to dismiss those voicing concerns, calling for more subdued messaging so as not to foster panic—and time and time again, the industry narrative is refuted. We were told the virus doesn’t spread from cow to cow; that was quickly proven false. In June, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told scientific experts the virus would just “burn itself out,” only to have the virus explode in California a few months later.”
to read the full article go to https://time.com/7200002/bird-flu-outbreak-denial-essay/
“Avian Flu Could Define Trump’s Second Presidency” By Artis Curiskis “Reveal’s Peabody-nominated COVID Tracking Project series explored how the government struggled to procure essential data to guide the Covid-19 response, navigate bureaucratic hindrances in the midst of an emergency, and mend a fragmented response to the pandemic. Many of these issues rested on weak data infrastructure and a lack of funding to support local public health agencies, causing the federal government to rely on a volunteer-led data collection effort. Public health agencies are working on fixing those issues, but the anticipated cuts will likely stymie those efforts and exacerbate the systemic problems.”
to read the full article go to https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/trump-bird-flu-covid-response/
“Sex, a Hex and a Sick Child Offer Clues to an Epidemic’s Birth” “In a remote Congolese town, a medical mystery led to the discovery of alarming changes in the mpox virus and, eventually, to a global health emergency.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/health/mpox-virus-congo.html#:~:text=Global%20Health-,Sex%2C%20a%20Hex%20and%20a%20Sick%20Child%20Offer%20Clues%20to,to%20a%20global%20health%20emergency.
