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Today, Explained

One Flu Over The Cowcow’s Nest

May 1, 2024
Keren Landman, an avian flu expert, and Kenny Torrella, a Vox writer, dive into the startling transmission of avian flu from chickens to cows. They discuss the alarming implications for the dairy industry and public health, emphasizing the effectiveness of pasteurization in making milk safe. The conversation critiques the USDA's handling of the outbreak and the complexities of managing the risks posed by viral mutations. Their insights shed light on the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety while balancing industry pressures.
25:38

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Avian flu transmission to cows raises concerns about virus spread in milk and potential human exposure.
  • Criticism towards USDA's response to bird flu in cows underscores industry-regulatory balance and public health risks.

Deep dives

Spread of Bird Flu to Cows and Humans

The podcast episode discusses the unexpected transmission of bird flu to dairy cattle and subsequently to a human dairy worker. The H5N1 virus, a type of influenza A virus typically transmitted from poultry to humans, was found in cows for the first recorded time. This event raised concerns as the virus was detected in cow milk, leading to an investigation by epidemiologist Andrew Bowman.

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