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Articles on Avian flu H5N1

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Human, animal and environmental health are interconnected. Tambako the Jaguar/Moment via Getty Images

Humans infecting animals infecting humans − from COVID-19 to bird flu, preventing pandemics requires protecting all species

Infectious diseases can spill over from animals to humans as well as spill back. Each cross-species transmission gives pathogens a chance to evolve and spread even further.
Although H5N1 typically infects wild birds, the virus has spilled over into domesticated animal populations, like dairy cows. Peter Cade/Stone via Getty Images

Avian flu has infected dairy cows in more than a dozen states – a microbiologist explains how the virus is spreading

The H5N1 virus has infected about 900 people since 2003, and more than half of them died. But so far there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Snow geese are seen during their migratory movements at the Reservoir Beaudet, in Victoriaville, Que. in 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bernard Brault

Climate change is helping the H5N1 bird flu virus spread and evolve

H5N1 is the latest evidence that climate change is altering how viruses spread and evolve. It is essential that global public health officials take these dynamics into account.
Influencers extoll the benefits of drinking raw milk over pasteurized milk, but there isn’t substantive evidence to support these claims. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Raw milk health risks significantly outweigh any potential benefits − food scientists and nutritionists explain why

Raw milk has always carried the risk of serious illness, and this risk has only risen with bird flu spreading across dairy farms in the US.
The actions we take now will determine whether the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak already affecting birds and mammals around the world takes hold in humans. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

An ounce of prevention: Now is the time to take action on H5N1 avian flu, because the stakes are enormous

Our approach to combating pandemics must shift to one that prioritizes prevention of human infections with zoonotic viruses, rather than focusing on rapid response once human infection is widespread.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that dairy cows in nine states have been infected with bird flu in 2024. U.S. Department of Agriculture

Bird flu detected in Colorado dairy cattle − a vet explains the risks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

A veterinarian and epidemiologist who studies infectious diseases in dairy cows discusses the outbreak, how cows recover and what the government is doing to keep the milk supply safe.
Strong evidence suggests the risk associated with consuming milk contaminated with H5N1 influenza virus is minimal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

U.S. has found H5N1 flu virus in milk — here’s why the risk to humans is likely low

H5N1 influenza has been reported in dairy cows, and detected in milk. Here’s a look at what’s known about how pasteurization affects the virus and the safety of consuming H5N1-contaminated milk.
Cows typically get over avian flu in a couple of weeks, but it’s an economic blow for farms. AP Photo/Charlie Litchfield

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

Five livestock experts who study infectious diseases in the dairy industry explain the risks.
The World Health Organization has declared an end to COVID-19’s status as a public health emergency of international concern. (Shutterstock)

Learning from COVID-19: The global health emergency has ended. Here’s what is needed to prepare for the next one

After previous public health emergencies likes SARS and H1N1, there was renewed investment in pandemic preparedness, but it was not sustained. We cannot make the same mistake after COVID-19.
Gain-of-function experiments in the lab can help researchers get ahead of viruses naturally gaining the ability to infect people in the wild. KTSDesign/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Gain-of-function research is more than just tweaking risky viruses – it’s a routine and essential tool in all biology research

From cancer immunotherapy and antibiotics to GMO crops and pandemic surveillance, gain of function is a cornerstone of basic research.

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