Canadian scientists launch early warning system to spot traces of H5N1 bird flu in milk

Canadian scientists launch early warning system to spot traces of H5N1 bird flu in milk

It all started with a few text messages in late April. Several well-known Canadian scientists — Toronto-based infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch, Saskatoon-based virologist Angela Rasmussen and Winnipeg-based microbiologist Jason Kindrachuk — were all chatting about the unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in U.S. dairy cows. By then, American officials had tracked cow cases … Read more

Scientists watching wastewater for signs of H5N1 as U.S. bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle grows

Scientists watching wastewater for signs of H5N1 as U.S. bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle grows

Scientists in the U.S. and Canada are watching wastewater for early signs of H5N1 as an outbreak of bird flu among American dairy cattle keeps growing. With cases confirmed in dozens of herds across nine states — and roughly 300 people being tested or monitored for symptoms after the detection of one human case — … Read more

Canadian farmers take precautions as bird flu outbreaks hit U.S. dairy cattle

Canadian farmers take precautions as bird flu outbreaks hit U.S. dairy cattle

The Dose19:04What’s going on with H5N1 bird flu? H5N1 is in the news again, and this time it has spread to cattle in several U.S. states. It has even infected a dairy worker in Texas. Global health epidemiologist Raywat Deonandan explains how avian flu is spreading, how transmissible it is, what vaccines are available, and … Read more

Is milk safe to drink? Can you catch bird flu from beef? What to know about H5N1 cattle outbreaks

Is milk safe to drink? Can you catch bird flu from beef? What to know about H5N1 cattle outbreaks

Confirmation that a dangerous form of bird flu is circulating among U.S. dairy cattle has raised questions among dairy producers — and consumers — on both sides of the border. Dairy and beef farmers are implementing biosecurity measures to keep H5N1 out of their herds, while Canadians are understandably concerned about what these outbreaks could … Read more

Now that bird flu is spreading among cows, scientists worry where H5N1 will jump next

Now that bird flu is spreading among cows, scientists worry where H5N1 will jump next

On March 25, American officials published an urgent announcement: Dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico were falling sick. The cows had low appetites, and produced less milk than normal. Some farms also discovered wild bird carcasses on their grounds. Tests on a cow throat swab and raw milk samples all confirmed an unusual finding: … Read more