A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been silently spreading in US cattle for months, according to preliminary analysis of genomic data. The outbreak is likely to have begun when the virus jumped from an infected bird into a cow, probably around late December or early January. This implies a protracted, undetected spread of the virus — suggesting that more cattle across the United States, and even in neighbouring regions, could have been infected with avian influenza than currently reported.

  • tal@lemmy.todayOP
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    7 months ago

    Apparently we only realized that this outbreak was occurring after it’d been spreading for about 5 months or so.

    The data also show occasional jumps back from infected cows to birds and cats. “This is a multi-host outbreak,” says Nelson.

    It’s also been jumping across multiple mammal species. No confirmed human-to-human transmission yet, but…

    • Crismus@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Except only idiots drink nonpasteurized milk so it won’t spread to the general population. Or we already would have had a pandemic.

      Using our standard protocols works, no need to fear.

        • rdyoung@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Where are you getting 40% of the population not only drinks but has easy access to nonpasteurized milk? We get stuff from local farms occasionally and all we can get is non homogenized, it’s most definitely still pasteurized. And even then its still way way better than the store bought stuff.

          • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
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            7 months ago

            I mean 40% are idiots. Just start a hoax about unpasteurized milk being free from government chemicals and you’ll see.

            • rdyoung@lemmy.world
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              7 months ago

              That’s not how that works. It’s illegal to sell unpasteurized milk, the only way to get it is to either know someone willing to risk it or to have your own cows, goats, etc.

              Most of the population (including the redneck trumpers) have no clue where to get meat, dairy, produce that isn’t from the grocery store or dollar general. I was in that group until I moved to what I call country’ish and met my wife who had been using csas for decades.

              • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world
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                7 months ago

                There are many states where it is legal to sell raw milk. You can not transport it across state lines, but if the farmer chooses to sell it in their own state, it’s perfectly legal to do so.

                • rdyoung@lemmy.world
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                  7 months ago

                  True but you aren’t going to find it on the store shelf and the average person isn’t going to know where to buy it. You lot at completely missing my point. I’m not surprised because most people can’t handle more than one thought at a time.

                • rdyoung@lemmy.world
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                  7 months ago

                  I got the point. I was making my own and you seem to be missing it, you are also I bet in the large group of people who don’t know how to buy food that isn’t from a grocery store or local butcher.

                  • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
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                    7 months ago

                    Looks like you’re trying to attack someone. Go ahead, attribute more things to me. Might be cathartic for you.

    • SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      The virus spreads mostly asymptomatically. If the cows don’t get sick and their milk production doesn’t decrease suddenly nobody starts testing for viruses.