Latest news with #JarraJagne
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion - How to test for and control bird flu before it's too late
If there was one thing we learned from COVID, it was the need for rapid, accurate, point-of-care testing to help contain the virus before it had spread silently to many others. It was years before we had these effective tools and could properly apply them in real time to real patients. Today, the same problem exists in animals for H5N1 bird flu, where the virus spreads through flocks before we know that even a single bird is infected. It takes several hours for the results of a polymerase chain reaction test, which 'detects genetic material from a pathogen or abnormal cell sample,' to come back. By then, the only effective strategy is often culling all the birds in the flock to hopefully prevent the spread beyond it. With over 1.5 billion chickens in the U.S. at any one time, there are a lot of birds coming in and out of farms. The latest bird flu outbreak, which has persisted in the U.S. since 2021, involves over 168 million poultry. At the same time, the majority of new detections are in small backyard flocks and live bird markets. Genetic studies confirm that the virus is being introduced repeatedly from wild birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds are the natural hosts for avian influenza viruses, though it often doesn't make them very sick. There is simply no way to limit the spread among wild birds or the spread from there to poultry. Wild birds migrate in large numbers to the U.S. in the fall/winter when the weather is cool and wet. Migration back in the spring leads to further exposure. Vaccinating wild birds for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is not an option. Estimates suggest there are 50 billion of them. You could never catch and vaccinate enough of them to have an effect. Large-scale production facilities try to limit their poultry's exposure to wild birds. Trucks are cleaned thoroughly, boots are dipped in disinfectant on entry and exit and screening and special doorways keep wild birds out. Poultry houses are thought of as 'barrier facilities' where, once inside, the birds can be kept healthy and isolated from risk. In contrast, it is very difficult for a homeowner with a backyard coop to avoid any kind of exposure or contact with wild birds. Influenza is transmitted directly by droplets in the air and also indirectly by contaminated surfaces. Backyard poultry can be infected from water or food bowls that have been contaminated by wild birds. Once infected, over 90 percent of chickens and turkeys will die from this virus. The virus incubates for several days before birds show symptoms, so it can't be managed by removing only the birds that look and act sick, because by that time, it has already spread through the flock, resulting in either death or culling of a large number of birds. More attention is being paid to vaccinating poultry with bird flu vaccines before a flock is infected. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a poultry veterinarian at Cornell, told us that 'killed or inactivated H5 vaccines are used around the world,' and companies in the U.S. are developing and testing new versions for this outbreak. The USDA is offering grants to incentivize their rapid development. But to keep the business profitable, poultry vaccines need to be highly economical, because of the number of birds involved, their short life span (layer hens live less than two years and each new group needs to be vaccinated) and the low cost of each animal. Another major obstacle to vaccinating poultry is that the antibody tests that many countries use to look for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza are often unable to distinguish a sick bird from one that has been vaccinated. The National Chicken Council estimates the export chicken market to be over $5 billion per year, and some countries simply won't accept imports from countries that vaccinate. But according to Dr. Laura Goodman, an expert in molecular diagnostics at Cornell Public Health, the new rapid tests which are in the process of being developed to only be positive for H5N1, could then be used before chickens are showing signs of illness and before they are introduced into a barrier facility or a live bird market. If rapid tests can be employed on a mass scale, H5N1 bird flu outbreaks can be much more easily controlled. The tests can also be used to demonstrate that entire flocks remain uninfected and more traditional PCR tests can be reserved to screen for new subtypes that may be emerging. The goal of controlling bird flu via rapid molecular testing goes well beyond protecting hens, their eggs and our economy. Because, as the viruses spread and mutate, they may adapt to more and more species, including humans. Alexander Travis VMD, Ph.D., is chair of Cornell University's Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, director of Cornell Public Health, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and organized Cornell's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center. He is the co-founder of TETmedical, Inc. Marc Siegel, M.D., is a clinical professor of Medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at New York University's Langone Health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
How to test for and control bird flu before it's too late
If there was one thing we learned from COVID, it was the need for rapid, accurate, point-of-care testing to help contain the virus before it had spread silently to many others. It was years before we had these effective tools and could properly apply them in real time to real patients. Today, the same problem exists in animals for H5N1 bird flu, where the virus spreads through flocks before we know that even a single bird is infected. It takes several hours for the results of a polymerase chain reaction test, which 'detects genetic material from a pathogen or abnormal cell sample,' to come back. By then, the only effective strategy is often culling all the birds in the flock to hopefully prevent the spread beyond it. With over 1.5 billion chickens in the U.S. at any one time, there are a lot of birds coming in and out of farms. The latest bird flu outbreak, which has persisted in the U.S. since 2021, involves over 168 million poultry. At the same time, the majority of new detections are in small backyard flocks and live bird markets. Genetic studies confirm that the virus is being introduced repeatedly from wild birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds are the natural hosts for avian influenza viruses, though it often doesn't make them very sick. There is simply no way to limit the spread among wild birds or the spread from there to poultry. Wild birds migrate in large numbers to the U.S. in the fall/winter when the weather is cool and wet. Migration back in the spring leads to further exposure. Vaccinating wild birds for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is not an option. Estimates suggest there are 50 billion of them. You could never catch and vaccinate enough of them to have an effect. Large-scale production facilities try to limit their poultry's exposure to wild birds. Trucks are cleaned thoroughly, boots are dipped in disinfectant on entry and exit and screening and special doorways keep wild birds out. Poultry houses are thought of as 'barrier facilities' where, once inside, the birds can be kept healthy and isolated from risk. In contrast, it is very difficult for a homeowner with a backyard coop to avoid any kind of exposure or contact with wild birds. Influenza is transmitted directly by droplets in the air and also indirectly by contaminated surfaces. Backyard poultry can be infected from water or food bowls that have been contaminated by wild birds. Once infected, over 90 percent of chickens and turkeys will die from this virus. The virus incubates for several days before birds show symptoms, so it can't be managed by removing only the birds that look and act sick, because by that time, it has already spread through the flock, resulting in either death or culling of a large number of birds. More attention is being paid to vaccinating poultry with bird flu vaccines before a flock is infected. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a poultry veterinarian at Cornell, told us that 'killed or inactivated H5 vaccines are used around the world,' and companies in the U.S. are developing and testing new versions for this outbreak. The USDA is offering grants to incentivize their rapid development. But to keep the business profitable, poultry vaccines need to be highly economical, because of the number of birds involved, their short life span (layer hens live less than two years and each new group needs to be vaccinated) and the low cost of each animal. Another major obstacle to vaccinating poultry is that the antibody tests that many countries use to look for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza are often unable to distinguish a sick bird from one that has been vaccinated. The National Chicken Council estimates the export chicken market to be over $5 billion per year, and some countries simply won't accept imports from countries that vaccinate. But according to Dr. Laura Goodman, an expert in molecular diagnostics at Cornell Public Health, the new rapid tests which are in the process of being developed to only be positive for H5N1, could then be used before chickens are showing signs of illness and before they are introduced into a barrier facility or a live bird market. If rapid tests can be employed on a mass scale, H5N1 bird flu outbreaks can be much more easily controlled. The tests can also be used to demonstrate that entire flocks remain uninfected and more traditional PCR tests can be reserved to screen for new subtypes that may be emerging. The goal of controlling bird flu via rapid molecular testing goes well beyond protecting hens, their eggs and our economy. Because, as the viruses spread and mutate, they may adapt to more and more species, including humans. Alexander Travis VMD, Ph.D., is chair of Cornell University's Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, director of Cornell Public Health, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and organized Cornell's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center. He is the co-founder of TETmedical, Inc. Marc Siegel, M.D., is a clinical professor of Medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at New York University's Langone Health.
Chicago Tribune
18-03-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats
A California pet food maker has recalled its raw chicken products after they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats and suspected in a third in New York City. The recall is the latest in recent months tied to products potentially contaminated with the virus that has sickened and killed cats in several states, after racing through poultry and dairy cattle in the U.S. and causing illnesses in at least 70 people. Savage Pet, of El Cajon, California, this week recalled one lot of large and small chicken boxes because they may be contaminated with Type A H5N1 influenza virus. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packages of products. The lot code and best-by date 11152026 is stamped on products. The pet food was distributed in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state. New York City health officials this week urged consumers to avoid Savage Pet products because of the cats' illnesses. One cat fell ill and died this month after eating the Savage Pet products. Final test results are pending, but a preliminary test for H5N1 was 'nonnegative,' which indicates that a certain amount of virus was detected, a department spokesperson said. A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died — and tests suggested it was infected with a strain related to that found in the recalled Savage Pet food. However, that cat did not eat the food; it was exposed to a third cat that fell ill after eating the food from the implicated lot. That cat survived but was not tested. The New York cases are the latest reports of cats in several states sickened and killed by H5N1. At least 115 bird flu infections in domestic cats have been reported to the U.S. Agriculture Department since 2022, with most logged since 2024. Cats can catch the virus from wildlife or contaminated milk and food. Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw, of Olympia, Washington, recalled frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses and deaths in cats in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats of Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food after it tested positive for the virus and was linked to the death of a local cat. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, said pet owners should avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet food because of the risk of bird flu as well as other germs such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli. 'I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,' she said. 'It's all about cooking.'
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats
A California pet food maker has recalled its raw chicken products after they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats and suspected in a third in New York City. The recall is the latest in recent months tied to products potentially contaminated with the virus that has sickened and killed cats in several states, after racing through poultry and dairy cattle in the U.S. and causing illnesses in at least 70 people. Savage Pet, of El Cajon, California, this week recalled one lot of large and small chicken boxes because they may be contaminated with Type A H5N1 influenza virus. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packages of products. The lot code and best-by date 11152026 is stamped on products. The pet food was distributed in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state. New York City health officials this week urged consumers to avoid Savage Pet products because of the cats' illnesses. One cat fell ill and died this month after eating the Savage Pet products. Final test results are pending, but a preliminary test for H5N1 was 'nonnegative,' which indicates that a certain amount of virus was detected, a department spokesperson said. A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died — and tests suggested it was infected with a strain related to that found in the recalled Savage Pet food. However, that cat did not eat the food; it was exposed to a third cat that fell ill after eating the food from the implicated lot. That cat survived but was not tested. The New York cases are the latest reports of cats in several states sickened and killed by H5N1. At least 115 bird flu infections in domestic cats have been reported to the U.S. Agriculture Department since 2022, with most logged since 2024. Cats can catch the virus from wildlife or contaminated milk and food. Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw, of Olympia, Washington, recalled frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses and deaths in cats in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats of Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food after it tested positive for the virus and was linked to the death of a local cat. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, said pet owners should avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet food because of the risk of bird flu as well as other germs such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli. 'I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,' she said. 'It's all about cooking.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats
A California pet food maker has recalled its raw chicken products after they were linked to bird flu infections in two cats and suspected in a third in New York City. The recall is the latest in recent months tied to products potentially contaminated with the virus that has sickened and killed cats in several states, after racing through poultry and dairy cattle in the U.S. and causing illnesses in at least 70 people. Savage Pet, of El Cajon, California, this week recalled one lot of large and small chicken boxes because they may be contaminated with Type A H5N1 influenza virus. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packages of products. The lot code and best-by date 11152026 is stamped on products. The pet food was distributed in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state. New York City health officials this week urged consumers to avoid Savage Pet products because of the cats' illnesses. One cat fell ill and died this month after eating the Savage Pet products. Final test results are pending, but a preliminary test for H5N1 was 'nonnegative,' which indicates that a certain amount of virus was detected, a department spokesperson said. A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died — and tests suggested it was infected with a strain related to that found in the recalled Savage Pet food. However, that cat did not eat the food; it was exposed to a third cat that fell ill after eating the food from the implicated lot. That cat survived but was not tested. The New York cases are the latest reports of cats in several states sickened and killed by H5N1. At least 115 bird flu infections in domestic cats have been reported to the U.S. Agriculture Department since 2022, with most logged since 2024. Cats can catch the virus from wildlife or contaminated milk and food. Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw, of Olympia, Washington, recalled frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses and deaths in cats in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats of Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food after it tested positive for the virus and was linked to the death of a local cat. Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, said pet owners should avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet food because of the risk of bird flu as well as other germs such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli. 'I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,' she said. 'It's all about cooking.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
