The Intelligence from The Economist

Dicky birds: the next pandemic?

14 snips
Jul 19, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Slavea Chankova, The Economist’s healthcare correspondent, warns about the potential for bird flu to emerge as the next pandemic threat, highlighting the urgency of pandemic preparedness. Meanwhile, Rebecca Jackson, the Southern correspondent, unveils the often-overlooked complicity of white women in American slavery, challenging existing narratives. Their insights weave together timely global health concerns and a deeper understanding of historical injustices, prompting listeners to rethink familiar stories.
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INSIGHT

UK Pandemic Preparedness

  • The UK's COVID-19 inquiry concluded the nation was ill-prepared, focusing on influenza.
  • It highlighted the future threat of another pandemic, possibly bird flu (H5N1).
INSIGHT

H5N1 Defenses

  • Unlike with COVID-19, humanity has some defenses against H5N1, including drugs and vaccines.
  • However, their effectiveness against a widespread H5N1 outbreak remains uncertain.
INSIGHT

H5N1 Mammalian Spread

  • H5N1 is causing concern due to mammalian adaptations, particularly in sea lions and seals.
  • Its presence in American dairy cows, with nine linked human infections, raises pandemic fears.
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