Bird flu sweeps through zoos with 'grave implications' for endangered animals

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) Dozens of rare animals including tigers, lions and cheetahs are dying as bird flu infiltrates zoos, with potentially “grave implications” for endangered species, researchers have warned.

As a growing number of zoos report animal deaths, scientists are concerned that infected wild birds landing in enclosures could be spreading it among captive animals. In the US, a cheetah, mountain lion, Indian goose and kookaburra were among the animals that died in Wildlife World Zoo near Phoenix, according to local media reports last week. San Francisco Zoo temporarily closed its aviaries after a wild red-shouldered hawk was found dead on its grounds, and later tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAIV). A rare red-breasted goose died at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, causing aviaries to close and penguin feeding for visitors to be suspended in November. These cases follow the deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther in zoos across south Vietnam over the summer.

“Given the potentially fatal consequences of an HPAIV infection in birds and in some mammals, such as big cats, these infections may have grave implications for endangered animal species refuged in zoos,” said Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist from Queen’s University Belfast.

Researchers say cases have probably emerged in zoos because of infected wild birds flying in and out of enclosures, and this tends to happen more during the migration season. A number of US states, including Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas, have reported an increase in bird flu cases, especially in geese and waterfowl. There has been a “sharp jump” of cases in Iowa, according to state authorities, after “nearly a year” with no detections of the virus. ....................(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/19/bird-flu-zoos-endangered-animals-captive-species-lions-tigers-cheetahs-virus

[Lovie777]

1. Here in California.....

I see more mask wearing from the public. A lot of mask wearing in stores and medical facilities. A nurse told me something afoot.

If there is another super virus, and the fuck up asshole is back for 4 years, my gawd.

[hlthe2b]

2. H5N1 avian flu vaccine U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is working to produce 4.8 million doses

of H5N1 avian flu vaccine for pandemic preparedness. The vaccine will be produced in multidose vials and is currently in bulk form.

Of course jerkwad, RFK JR will undoubtedly shut the program down as he pushes removing bans on infected raw milk. Likewise will undermine USDA efforts to develop more animal species-specific H5N1 vaccines. Undoubtedly.

Moderna is developing a bird flu vaccine, which is currently in the early stages of development.

Other H5N1 vaccines include:

Audenz: An adjuvanted influenza A (H5N1) monovalent vaccine approved by the FDA in 2020
Sanofi Pasteur's vaccine: Approved by the United States in 2007
GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine Prepandrix: Approved by the European Union in 2008
CSL Limited's vaccine Panvax: Approved by Australia in 2008

and WHO:
mRNA vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a project to develop an mRNA vaccine for the H5N1 virus. The Argentinian company Sinergium Biotech is leading the effort, which aims to share the technology with other manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries.

[wnylib]

6. I'm looking forward to an mRNA version of a flu vaccine because

I am allergic to current flu vaccines and therefore do not get them.

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[StarryNite]

4. This is really bad.

[wnylib]

7. It's like standing on a railroad track watching

a train approach and being unable to step off the track.

[StarryNite]

8. They have us tied down and the train is picking up speed.

[wnylib]

5. What could happen if Mr. Worm Brain blocks

milk and meat testing, or relaxes regulations on food handling? Depends on how contagious H5N1 bird flu is and how serious the infections are in humans. So far, human infections have been mild, except for one. A severe infection has occurred in a person with underlying health conditions, who is now hospitalized.

The more infections in humans, the more possibilities for the virus to mutate into human to human transmission.

What foods will be safe to eat?

The farm animals currently most affected by bird flu are chickens and cows.

Pasteurized milk is safe. But if current regulations on pasteurization and labeling are relaxed or removed, how will we know if the milk we buy is safe? As a precaution, we can boil milk before using it.

But what about cheese, sour cream, butter, chip dips, etc?

We don't eat raw chickens, but what about handling chicken as we prepare to cook it? Our hands, sinks, cutting boards, etc. can become contaminated.

Rare and medium rare steaks and prime rib would be risky to eat. What about chefs who handle them in restaurant kitchens?

Eggs would need to be well cooked before eating. No more "sunny side up" fried eggs. What about handling egg shells to crack them open?

Could plant foods become infected by runoff from infected animals into soil? It happens now sometimes with e-coli. Would fresh vegetables and fruits be affected?

We need a well functioning health care system and a regulated food handling and testing system to deal with a currently developing problem in order to contain it.

But Mr. Trump and Mr. Brain Worm are opposed to both.