CDC preparing for possibility of H5N1 evolving to spread more easily among people, calls for increased testing among people and animals
Dairy industry must improve biosecurity measures and testing to prevent further outbreaks
H5N1 virus spreading, transmission in humans remains low but concerns about potential human transmission
Thousands of bird flu outbreaks documented in wild and farmed bird populations across all continents
USDA reports reveal shared equipment and personnel as main risk factors for spread in dairy farms
In recent months, thousands of bird flu outbreaks have been documented in wild and farmed bird populations across all continents, spilling over into mammal populations. The US alone has seen over 96 million birds die since February 2022 due to the virus. While experts agree that the H5N1 virus is spreading, there is debate over how urgent a response is required and what actions should be taken. Transmission in humans remains low, but concerns about potential transmission and the possibility of the virus evolving to spread more easily among people have led health officials to call for increased testing.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed that shared equipment and personnel working on multiple dairy farms are some of the main risk factors for ongoing spread of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cows. The USDA reports reveal that approximately 60% of farms surveyed acknowledged moving animals off the farm after some of their cows showed clinical signs of illness, and half of the farms reported using trucks and trailers to move livestock within a month of noticing affected cattle on their premises. However, half of the shared vehicles were not cleaned between cattle shipments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is preparing for the possibility that bird flu could evolve to spread more easily among people, but there is concern that pushing for more testing may damage trust among farm workers and owners. The CDC has called for increased testing among people and animals in the US, particularly agricultural workers in close contact with animals.
Efforts to contain the spread of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows will be challenging, as movement of cows, farmworkers, and shared equipment appear to be responsible for the spread. The dairy industry must work towards improving biosecurity measures and testing to prevent further outbreaks.
CDC principal deputy director, Dr Nirav Shah, expressed the need for more testing for bird flu among people and animals in the US.
The CDC is preparing for the possibility that bird flu could evolve to spread more easily among people.
Accuracy
CDC is building trust with farms and farm workers instead of pushing for more testing.
Only 44 people have been tested in 2024 according to the CDC.
Personal protective equipment use is encouraged but no promises have been made for shots for farm workers.
Tests for bird flu are available throughout the country, a vaccine candidate is being manufactured, and the virus monitoring system is well established.
Some states are testing dairy farm workers for antibodies against H5N1 to understand the extent of virus circulation.
Deception
(30%)
The author makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. First, she states that 'only 44 people have been tested in 2024' without providing context about the total population being tested or the reason for the low number of tests. This is an example of selective reporting and can give readers a false sense of the scope of the issue. Second, when discussing symptoms, she states that 'having respiratory symptoms means the individual has more opportunities to pass the virus on to other people' without mentioning that this is not a new development with H5N1 and does not necessarily mean that the virus is changing or becoming more dangerous for humans. This can create unnecessary fear and alarm. Lastly, she states that 'US officials have ordered 4.8m doses of an H5N1 vaccine' but then later says that 'there is not right now a recommendation to vaccinate farm workers'. This inconsistency in the article can be confusing for readers and may lead them to question the reliability of the information presented.
Only 44 people have been tested in 2024
Having respiratory symptoms means the individual has more opportunities to pass the virus on to other people
US officials have ordered 4.8m doses of an H5N1 vaccine... There is not right now a recommendation to vaccinate farm workers
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The author, Melody Schreiber, does not demonstrate any specific political or religious bias in the article. However, there is an indication of ideological bias as the author highlights the importance of community trust in public health and emphasizes on not damaging fragile trust among farm workers and owners while pushing for more testing. This can be seen in statements such as 'But, Shah said, “right now we want to be in a role where we’re building trust with farms and farm workers.”' and 'That means being clear about what testing does and doesn’t entail, and assuring the privacy of workers,”. Additionally, there is an indication of monetary bias as the author mentions that health officials have not announced additional funds for this outbreak beyond the $101m for CDC and USDA announced in May. The article also highlights that part of USDA funding has included up to $2,000 a month to farms for providing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, face shields and goggles.
But, Shah said, “right now we want to be in a role where we’re building trust with farms and farm workers.”
health officials have not announced additional funds for this outbreak beyond the $101m for CDC and USDA announced in May.
part of USDA funding has included up to $2,000 a month to farms for providing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, face shields and goggles.
That means being clear about what testing does and doesn’t entail, and assuring the privacy of workers,”
USDA reports reveal risk factors for ongoing spread of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cows
Shared equipment and personnel are main risk factors for transmission between farms
>20% of farms received cattle within 30 days of clinical signs
>60% of farms continued to move cattle off the facilities after animals showed signs of illness
Accuracy
]USDA reports reveal risk factors for ongoing spread of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cows[
More than 20% of farms received cattle within 30 days of clinical signs
About 60% of farms continued to move cattle off the facilities after animals showed signs of illness
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains multiple instances of shared equipment and personnel between farms, which can be considered a fallacy of appeal to common practice. The authors suggest that these factors are contributing to the ongoing spread of H5N1 avian flu in dairy cows. Additionally, there is an instance of inflammatory rhetoric when the authors describe the situation as a 'solemn reminder' and emphasize that 'biosecurity is the key to prevention.'
About 62% of farms shared vehicles to transport cattle, and only 12% cleaned the vehicles before use.
The farms also had frequent visitors, such as veterinarians, feed consultants, and contract haulers. Nearly all of the affected farms are part of the same dairy co-op, and the diaries all used the same deadstock hauler.
The situation made it difficult for CDC scientists to generate a full genomic sequence [of the virus], though they were able to piece together a large portion of it.
This report could not have been completed without them.
Thousands of bird flu outbreaks have been documented in wild and farmed bird populations across all continents, spilling over into mammal populations.
In the US alone, bird flu has resulted in the death of over 96 million birds since February 2022.
Accuracy
Three farmworkers in the US have become infected with H5N1 virus over the past two months.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article presents a balanced view of the bird flu situation by discussing expert reactions and the importance of testing and surveillance. However, it does contain some appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric.
. . . most of the basics are no longer in question among epidemiologists.
In truth, though, most of the basics are no longer in question among epidemiologists.
So where do we go from here? That depends significantly, the experts say...
Approximately 60% of farms that completed a USDA survey acknowledged moving animals off the farm after some of their cows showed clinical signs of H5N1 bird flu.
Half of farms acknowledged using trucks and trailers to move livestock within a month of noticing affected cattle on their premises. Half of the shared vehicles were not cleaned between cattle shipments.
Accuracy
More than 30% of employees at affected dairies also work at another farm with livestock, most of which had dairy cattle.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority without directly attributing fallacies to the author. Helen Branswell does not make any false claims or use logical fallacies in her direct statements. However, she reports on information from the USDA and quotes other sources, which contain<dummy00006> examples of fallacies.
. The reports do not shed much new light on the situation.
. . . it was conducted when Michigan had reported H5N1 in 15 dairy herds and eight poultry flocks. It has since confirmed another 10 infected herds.
60% of farms that completed its survey acknowledged moving animals off the farm after some of their cows started showing clinical signs of illness.
Bias
(95%)
The author provides information about the spread of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cow herds in the US, and includes statistics from USDA reports. While the author does not express any bias herself, she presents numbers that suggest a significant challenge for the dairy industry to halt the spread of H5N1 in cows. These numbers include 60% of farms moving animals off their premises after some cattle showed signs of illness without testing required, 100% of farms in Michigan reporting outside individuals coming to their farms and having contact with animals, and half of affected dairies using trucks and trailers to move livestock within a month of noticing affected cattle without cleaning between shipments. These statistics suggest a lack of adherence to biosecurity measures, which could contribute to the spread of the virus. Additionally, only 11 out of 96 affected herds have applied for funds from USDA to help cover costs related to increased testing and improved biosecurity.
60% of farms that completed its survey acknowledged moving animals off the farm after some of their cows started showing clinical signs of illness.
Half of farms acknowledged using trucks and trailers to move livestock within a month of noticing affected cattle on their premises. Half of the shared vehicles were not cleaned between cattle shipments.
