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🦠 Avian Alert
California declares state of emergency as bird flu spreads to 645 dairies
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PUBLIC HEALTH
Avian Alert
Today’s Top Story: California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the H5N1 bird flu outbreak spreads to 645 dairies, raising concerns after cases in humans, cattle, and animals, though the CDC reports no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
Reporting from the Left: California declared an emergency. How serious is bird flu? (AP)
Reporting from the Right: First severe bird flu case in the US found in Louisiana patient, health officials say (New York Post)
LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT
We Must Be Prepared
The Top Argument From The Left: Bird flu is coming for humans. We can either get ready or court disaster, Peter Chin-Hong, Los Angeles Times: “At this crossroads, the U.S. can choose either of two scenarios. The first is that we do everything right. We could continue to improve the timely surveillance of animals and raw milk — batches of which have been recalled for potential bird flu risk — to better identify infected herds and understand the true magnitude and dynamics of infection. This step will allow us to prepare for an emergency outbreak and know whether any of our interventions, such as employee vaccination programs or biosecurity measures to isolate animals, are working. … Our federal government can prioritize and incentivize scientific discovery of rapid diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics. … The other option is to go the direction the incoming federal government seems poised to support: Shrink public health dollars and expertise at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal entities, cut investments in infectious disease research, stymie the use of evidence-based vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests, and support drinking raw milk. The choice is ours, and only one route promises more suffering for our families and loved ones.”
Honorable Mention #1: Why has California declared a state of emergency over bird flu? Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera
Honorable Mention #2: Most pregnant women and unborn babies who contract bird flu will die, study finds, Melissa Davey, The Guardian
RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT
First Sever Case Confirmed
The Top Argument From The Right: America’s First Severe Case Of Bird Flu Confirmed; California Declares Emergency, Ryan Saavedra, Daily Wire: “The first serious case of H5N1 bird flu has been detected in a patient in Louisiana who has since been hospitalized with the illness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that this was the ‘first instance of severe illness’ from H5N1 recorded in the U.S. after it was confirmed on Friday. The agency said that a total of 61 cases have been reported in the U.S. over the last eight months. ‘It has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks,’ the CDC said. ‘This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock. A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death.’ The agency that there has been ‘no person-to-person spread’ of H5N1 detected anywhere and its overall risk assessment for the public remains low. … The state agriculture department has found the virus in nearly 650 dairies since August, when it was first discovered, with half of the infections happening in the last 30 days.”
Honorable Mention #1: CDC confirms bird flu hospitalization in Louisiana from wildlife, Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner
Honorable Mention #2: Gavin Newsom Declares State of Emergency in California over Bird Flu, Joel B. Pollak, Breitbart.
FLAG THIS
Bird Flu Briefing
Following the previously reported severe H5N1 bird flu case in Louisiana, additional details have emerged regarding the infection and its broader implications. The CDC stated:
First Severe U.S. Case: Confirmed by the CDC on December 13, this case is linked to exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.
Genotype Identification: The virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype, recently found in wild birds, poultry, and human cases in Canada and Washington state. It differs from the B3.13 genotype seen in dairy cows and other U.S. outbreaks.
Total Human Cases: Since April 2024, 61 human cases of H5 bird flu have been reported in the U.S.
Source of Infection: The Louisiana patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks—underscoring that wild birds and backyard flocks can also pose a risk.
Public Health Risk: No person-to-person spread has been detected, and the CDC maintains that the immediate risk to public health remains low.
For further updates, visit the CDC's H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation page.
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WATERCOOLER
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