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The Dose

How concerned should I be about avian flu?

Dec 12, 2024
21:29

H5N1 avian flu has now spread through dairy herds in 16 U.S. states. Close to 60 human cases have been reported in the U.S. and one here in Canada with a B.C. teen. Most have been caused through contact with infected animals, though a few sources are unclear. A new study in the journal Science says the virus might be just a single mutation away from more easily spreading between people. But infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Lynora Saxinger, says that while there’s no reason to panic, we need to take precautions and get any exposure to sick animals checked out.

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