The "Bird Flu" (a.k.a Avian Flu) also known as H5N1 which killed millions of wild and domestic birds (ie. chickens) across the United States in recent years has mutated enough that it infects various species of mammals as-well. Within the past few weeks, herds of cattle have become infected with H5N1 flu. Thus far, a few farm hands have been infected with H5N1 but there is no evidence yet of Human-to-Human transmission. As more domestic cattle (and people who work around them) become exposed -- the possibility exists that the virus might evolve into a form readily transmissible among humans. Here are a few articles from which this summary of events was compiled for your review...

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/22/health/birdflu-marine-mammals.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-ne...-say-rcna149520

... I would think we should be monitoring reputable news sources about ongoing developments concerning the H5N1 flu. I've always regarded this forum as my go-to place for thoughtful discussions about such topics.

What are your thoughts regarding recent developments related to H5N1 flu?

Some additional good information available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm .

My initial impression is that H5N1 isn’t going to amount to much in humans. But it’s worth paying attention to.

My information is that the milk pasteurizing process renders the virus non-transmissible. Since the system is built on this, the risk to the population at large is effectively zero.

However, since the inert components can still be detected, we have a valid tracking tool. Good.

While the risk of passing on the virus through milk is zero due to pasteurization -- the fact that virus fragments have been detected in one-in-five samples taken of milk indicates that the virus is already more widespread among cattle than initially thought. See the article below...

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-ne...a-fi-rcna149459

The concern here is spreading from cow-to-person, and the eventual possibility of person-to-person transmission.

Fair comment. While worrisome, that is a long chain of events. I doubt we can predict if this will be a widespread concern for human health.

On a personal scale, the unpleasant events of the last pandemic indicate the measures needed to weather the next one. I note that I can get cases of hand sanitizer for free, and masks also. I don't know if bird flu is susceptible to alcohol sanitizers though -- some viruses are, and some are not.

Friend, NE Washington state, found three different dead skunks on their property that tested positive. Skunks scavenge, so likely got it from bird carcasses.

Interesting. And concerning. Not sure about the human vector though. Does it need to mutate to be a potential pandemic?

Meanwhile Covid version-x and a bunch of other respiratory viruses keep rearing their ugly heads. Around here, hospitals are raising the flag. Thing is, if Covid-x hits people with existing conditions (already in hospital), it can still be quite lethal.

BTW clearwater, I have a standing policy -- don't do business with skunks, and absolutely avoid dead ones, especially in the hot sun. There's a story there; I'll tell it sometime. Sort of an unexploded, bloated ordinance thing.