With #H5N1#birdflu spreading amongst dairy cows, one of the most important things to think about right now is what would need to happen for this virus to actually start a pandemic.
I'm on a train, so a brief thread...
I am seeing a lot of hubbub over a third case of #birdflu in a human in the US.
Just to be clear: Right now, in our "lowest" point of #COVID19 in almost a year, 278 Americans are being infected EVERY MINUTE. Ten percent or more will go on to suffer months or years of Long COVID symptoms. Some will have damaged brains, hearts, and other organs.
We shouldn't lose focus on the immediate and real risks we face of COVID.
Scientist and animal/human health workers are worried, but the public is told ‘nothing to see, nothing to worry about, move on’.
The massive power of agribusiness is threatening the world we live in and also (for those who don't really care), our health by incubating new and dangerous illnesses.
Might want to avoid feeding cats unpateurized milk in the relevant areas.
4 more cats test positive for H5N1 bird flu in the U.S.
"Three of the new cases were found at two dairy farms in Curry County, New Mexico and all of them died, according to the state’s Agriculture Department. The fourth case was found at a dairy farm in Wood County, Ohio." https://bnonews.com/index.php/2024/04/4-more-cats-test-positive-for-h5n1-bird-flu-in-the-u-s/#birdflu#cats
From 2003 to 25 Mar 2024, a total of 888 worldwide human cases of influenza A(H5N1), 463 deaths (52% CFR), reported to WHO from 23 countries. Almost all cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) linked to close contact with infected live or dead birds, or contaminated environments... Avian flu outbreaks among birds now number >1100 in the US -across 48 states. Basically be cautious around any birds that you encounter for the near future bc🚨~50% mortality-."
-E Feigl-Ding
"Vets are being advised to wear full PPE (personal protection) if seeing a cat with neurological symptoms, after forty cats died on a dairy farm in New Mexico. The virus has proved 100% fatal and cats die within 24-48 hours.
Is it safe to consume dairy products? The answer for RAW products is NO. The virus has been detected in unpasteurised milk."