KQED's Forum
Is Avian Flu the Next Pandemic?
Dec 5, 2024
Dr. Michael Payne, a large animal vet researcher, discusses the severe impact avian flu has had on California's livestock, including its alarming spread to dairy cattle. Susanne Rust, an investigative reporter, highlights how the virus's mutation poses risks, with cases surfacing in humans, including dairy workers and a child. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong evaluates the pandemic potential and reassures listeners about current risks, while emphasizing the importance of monitoring and public health responses.
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Quick takeaways
- The avian flu outbreak has resulted in significant mortality among birds and emerging cases in mammals, raising public health concerns.
- Experts stress the importance of monitoring the virus’s mutation potential and implementing safety protocols to protect dairy workers from infection.
Deep dives
Avian Flu Outbreak Overview
The avian flu outbreak has resulted in significant mortality, affecting over 100 million birds across the U.S. since 2022, with California's dairy industry being particularly impacted. This virus, identified as H5N1, has notably jumped to mammals, including dairy cattle. As of early 2024, there have been confirmed cases in California’s dairy workforce, raising concerns among public health officials, although the human cases reported have thus far been mild in nature. Experts indicate that while the situation is concerning, it does not currently resemble the pandemic conditions seen with COVID-19.
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