The Cross Heads

US to start nationwide testing for H5N1 flu virus in milk supply

So, the ultimate goal of the USDA is to eliminate cattle as a reservoir. When the Agency announced it was planning for this program, it noted that there were two candidate vaccines in trials. Until those are validated, it plans to use the standard playbook for handling emerging infections: contact tracing and isolation. And it […]

December 6, 2024 | Biology, bird flu, Flu virus, H5N1, Health, Infectious disease, medicine, Science | No comments

Splash pads really are fountains of fecal material; CDC reports 10K illnesses

Once infectious material gets into the water, disinfection systems that aren’t working properly or are inadequate can allow pathogens to gush from every nozzle. Splash pads aren’t unique in having to handle sick children in poopy swim diapers—but they are unique in how they are regulated. That is, in some places, they’re not regulated at […]

December 3, 2024 | CDC, cyrptosporidium, gastrointestinal diseases, Health, Infectious disease, kids, public health, Science, splash pads | No comments

Raw milk producer optimistic after being shut down for bird flu detection

“We are shut down due to testing results showing DEAD VIRUS PIECES in some of our samples. Nothing alive,” McAfee said, despite the fact that testing for live virus is still pending. “We are testing and will have more data soon,” he added. Another document McAfee sent was an assessment from Margaret E. (Peg) Coleman, […]

December 3, 2024 | bird flu, H5N1, Health, Infectious disease, Raw Farm, raw milk, Science | No comments

Raw milk recalled for containing bird flu virus, California reports

Pasteurization The milk-related risk of H5N1 is only from raw milk; pasteurized milk does not contain live virus and is safe to drink. Pasteurization, which heats milk to a specific temperature for a specified amount of time, kills a variety of bacteria and viruses, including bird flu. Influenza viruses, generally, are considered susceptible to heat […]

November 25, 2024 | bird flu, California, H5N1, Health, Infectious disease, influenza, pasteurization, raw milk, Science | No comments

January 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031