Bird flu has been a major problem for animals in recent years, affecting many birds and some mammals. But humans? Not so much. While it's true that the number of human cases might be underestimated, there's no solid evidence that this specific strain of H5N1 bird flu is spreading widely among people. However, scientists are worried that if the virus changes in certai...
The United States is facing a bird flu epidemic. The current health czar, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , has some unusual ideas on how to handle it. He thinks letting the flu spread through bird populations could help identify immune birds. This approach has raised quite a few eyebrows. Kennedy's plan involves letting the flu run its course. He believes this could help fin...
Bird flu has been a significant issue for poultry and dairy farms across the United States since it first appeared in North America in late 2021. This outbreak has led to a sharp increase in egg prices. But how has it affected wild birds? More than 170 different species of North American wild birds, including ducks, geese, gulls, owls, and eagles, have been infected ...
The bird flu virus, specifically H5N1, can linger in raw milk cheese for months. This poses a significant health risk, especially during outbreaks. The virus can survive in raw milk cheese because of the protective environment created by the protein and fat content. This is a concern because raw milk cheeses are made from milk that hasn't been pasteurized. Pasteuriza...
The H5N1 bird flu virus can survive in raw milk cheese for a long time. This is a problem for public health. The virus can stay infectious for months, even after the cheese has been aged for 60 days. This aging process is supposed to kill off harmful germs. But it seems it might not be enough to stop the bird flu virus. The virus can survive because of the proteins ...
Bird flu has been making headlines for a while now, but recently, it's taken a surprising turn. Two pet cats in New York City have sadly died after catching the virus. This isn't just a one-off incident. It's a sign that the virus is spreading more widely than before. The big question is, how did the cats get infected? There are a few possibilities. They might have ...
The bird flu crisis has been raging for three years, with nearly 170 million farmed birds lost and 70 human infections reported. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $1 billion plan to tackle the issue. However, this plan might not be as effective as it seems. The strategy focuses on protecting against wild birds while allocating $400 million to...
Bird flu, or H5N1, is causing concern among health experts. They're worried about the lack of preparedness and the potential for it to become a human pandemic. This virus is highly contagious among birds and has been spreading to other animals, like dairy cows. Experts are on edge because there are gaps in surveillance and funding cuts that are hindering efforts to c...
Bird flu has made its way to a backyard flock of chickens in Dare County. This is a big deal because it's the first time it's happened in this area. The virus, known as H5N1, is highly contagious among birds but poses a low risk to humans. This means that while it can spread quickly among chickens and other birds, it's not likely to make people sick. The virus is...
Egg prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, leaving many consumers scratching their heads. The culprit? Bird flu, according to the egg industry. More than 166 million birds have been culled to stop the virus from spreading. This has led to a significant drop in the number of egg-laying hens, causing a supply shortage. The USDA has a policy of killing entire ...