Agriculture

We aren’t doing enough about the risk of bird flu – but we can | CNN

The United States’ response to H5N1 – “bird flu” – has been fragmented and inadequate. With three cases reported in people in the United States and clusters from Michigan to Texas, it’s clear that the virus is widespread among animals. To protect people, animals, and our economy, and to restore trust in public health, we need to get this right....

We have a lot to learn and no time to lose. First, states and national authorities must work with one another. This will require multiple federal agencies – including CDC, USDA, APHIS – and their state counterparts to share information transparently and in real time with each other and with the public. Second, Congress needs to provide resources to respond to the next pandemic and also for systems, workforce, and infrastructure so we are prepared to stop new and unknown events before they become epidemics. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we must quickly build relationships with farm owners and workers by being responsive to their needs and addressing questions and concerns.

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Bird flu infects third US dairy worker; Michigan set to expand testing A third U.S. dairy worker tested positive for bird flu after exposure to infected cows, and was the first to suffer respiratory problems, U.S. officials said on Thursday. Leah Douglas,Julie Steenhuysen,Tom Polansek Reuters

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US Could See Spike in Bird Flu Cases After Migration Season Birds may have spread the disease while migrating for breeding season over the spring. Jordan King Newsweek

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In spring, birds usually return to their breeding grounds, meaning they are making cross-country journeys, often stopping to take breaks along the way. The stopover locations can act as hotbeds for the spread of bird flu, especially if they are near farmland, where infected birds can leave contaminated saliva and feces, transmitting the disease to poultry animals.

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