Bird Flu Continues to Spread in Farms Across the US
Avian Flu (Bird Flu) continues to decimate dairy and poultry farms throughout the US. In the last two days alone, eight states have reported new outbreaks. In California the the virus swept through two more duck farms, impacting 157,000 birds. In Ohio, the virus hit three turkey farms as well as a poultry farm with 1.4 million egg-laying hens. Outbreaks were also confirmed at an Indiana egg-layer operation, turkey farms in North Carolina and Missouri, a Delaware farm with 146,000 birds, and Pennsylvania farm with almost 48,000 birds.
Full Story: CIDRAP
Avian Flu Reports Delayed By Communications Pause at CDC
A President Trump Executive Order has paused all communications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including studies vital to understanding and responding to the Avian Flu. Multiple Avian-flu related studies were scheduled to be published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). One of the reports investigated whether veterinarians treating cattle have been unwittingly infected. A second study examined whether the virus is being spread from humans to cats. These articles can help experts monitor the virus and prevent future outbreaks. The executive order requires that any communication is approved by a presidential appointee prior publication. Experts in public health caution that pausing research on the Avian Flu flu may threaten the healthy of farmworkers, veterinarians and general public.
Full Story: HealthDay