The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 flu, has been a growing concern since late 2021. This virus, which primarily affects birds, has shown an unusual ability to infect mammals, including cattle and cats.
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So, Where Did This Virus Originate?
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The virus is believed to have originated in Vietnam. The virus then spread to Texas. After being introduced to Texas, the virus was detected in dairy cattle! Over the past three years, HPAI has likely spread across much of the United States, prompting the recent actions from state departments of agriculture, particularly in northern states.
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What Makes HPAI Unusual?
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Perhaps the most noteworthy characteristic of HPAI is the virus’s ability to infect mammals through contaminated food, which is atypical for influenza viruses that are usually respiratory in nature. While there has been limited research, studies have shown that cats can become infected by consuming contaminated flesh. This has raised concerns about the virus’s potential impact on pets and livestock!
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What Has Been the Response to This New Found Information About HPAI?
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The response to HPAI has been incredibly inconsistent. Some argue that if HPAI poses a significant threat… testing in livestock should have begun MUCH earlier. Some raw pet food produced in USDA-approved facilities have been recalled recently. This has raised questions about the potential risk to both animals and humans consuming products from these sources!
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How Does it Compare to Past Outbreaks?
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Some find similarities between the HPAI situation and the West Nile virus in 1999. The West Nile virus spread rapidly across the United States which then led to widespread vaccination programs, particularly for horses.
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What Questions Should We Ask?
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The current crisis has raised several important questions:
1. Is HPAI a serious threat that would require immediate action?
2. Should the testing of livestock, meat, poultry, and milk products be done at this point?
3. Is this a potential excise for new vaccine development? If it is, for what species?
4. How could this impact trade relations with Canada?
5. What are the consequences for raw and fresh food diets… especially for pets and humans?
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With so many factors at play such as including public health, economic interests, and potential overreactions to perceived threats it is important to approach this situation with a critical mindset.
