A Bird Flu Pandemic Would Be One of the Most Foreseeable Catastrophes in History
The H5N1 bird flu is infecting U.S. dairy cattle, raising pandemic concerns. Criticism targets the Biden administration's inadequate response, with calls for immediate testing and isolation to prevent human transmission.
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The article discusses the looming threat of a bird flu pandemic, particularly the H5N1 strain, which is currently affecting dairy cattle in the U.S. The author, Zeynep Tufekci, emphasizes that the risk of a pandemic is heightened as the virus mutates and spreads among species, especially with the onset of flu season. Despite the potential for a catastrophic outbreak, the Biden administration has been criticized for its inadequate response to the H5N1 situation, which has already infected a significant portion of California's dairy herds. The lack of routine testing and contact tracing for farmworkers poses additional risks, as some have shown signs of undetected infections. The article also highlights the political challenges of addressing industrial farming practices, which may prioritize profits over public health. Tufekci warns that if the virus adapts to spread among humans, it could lead to a severe pandemic, drawing parallels to historical outbreaks. She calls for immediate action, including mandatory testing and isolation of infected herds, to mitigate the risks before it is too late.
- The H5N1 avian flu is currently infecting dairy cattle in the U.S., raising pandemic concerns.
- The Biden administration has been criticized for its inadequate response to the outbreak.
- Lack of testing and contact tracing for farmworkers increases the risk of human transmission.
- The article warns that if the virus adapts to humans, it could lead to a severe pandemic.
- Immediate action is needed to implement testing and isolation measures to prevent a catastrophe.
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A Bird Flu Pandemic Would Be One of the Most Foreseeable Catastrophes in History
The article warns of a potential bird flu pandemic from the H5N1 strain affecting U.S. cattle, criticizing the Biden administration's response and emphasizing the need for enhanced preparedness against viral threats.
The risk of a bird flu pandemic is rising
The H5N1 bird flu virus is spreading among dairy cattle and humans in the US, raising concerns about mutations. Vaccination and testing of farm workers are urgently needed to prevent a pandemic.
2 commentsSure, Science has been having a bout of issues lately, and isn’t doing so hot. But it’s the best self-correcting bullshit-detection system we have in place. And in terms of discovery and research, it’s the ONLY one available to us.
Those who understand the value of Science and recognize the trust that exists with well-researched and extensively-tested solutions will listen to medical experts and take the vaccines that give them a fighting chance at survival.
The remainder will fill hospitals and morgues to bursting. And it is by this method that conservatives will lose a majority of their electorate, especially if the pandemic has the 50+% fatality rate that H5N1 has.
The only downside is when the hospitals have ground to a standstill, any other non-pandemic treatable issue also has a real risk of becoming life-threatening due to the lack of said medical services. When plague rats have sucked up any and all available medical care, not much will be left for innocents who have had genuine, non-pandemic accidents.
At this point I am so disillusioned by the gross cultivated ignorance of conservatives that I really have very little sympathy left for them. If they’re not going to accept reality, why should I care about reality biting them in the ass?
Related
Bird flu is less scary than we feared. But we're not working to control it.
The U.S. lacks a comprehensive response plan for H5N1 bird flu, with limited testing and no vaccination efforts, raising concerns about potential outbreaks and public health indifference post-COVID-19.
The World Is Watching the U.S. Deal with Bird Flu, and It's Scary
H5N1 bird flu is spreading among U.S. livestock, raising pandemic concerns. The U.S. response is criticized for being slow, with calls for international collaboration to monitor and control the virus.
I Ran Operation Warp Speed. I'm Concerned About Bird Flu
David A. Kessler warns about the H5N1 bird flu's potential for human transmission, emphasizing mandatory milk testing and the need for preparedness against emerging mutations and public health risks.
A Bird Flu Pandemic Would Be One of the Most Foreseeable Catastrophes in History
The article warns of a potential bird flu pandemic from the H5N1 strain affecting U.S. cattle, criticizing the Biden administration's response and emphasizing the need for enhanced preparedness against viral threats.
The risk of a bird flu pandemic is rising
The H5N1 bird flu virus is spreading among dairy cattle and humans in the US, raising concerns about mutations. Vaccination and testing of farm workers are urgently needed to prevent a pandemic.