skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Both black boxes recovered in aftermath of deadly DC midair collision; Advocates call on AL lawmakers for prison reform; Path to Medicaid expansion in MS remains uncertain; Trump nominee Gabbard faces tough questions from Republicans; US elected officials file a legal motion opposing end to birthright citizenship.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Trump's latest executive actions on aviation safety, education and birthright citizenship spark debates. Critics say they threaten civil rights, while supporters say they support competency.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

As bird flu spreads, egg prices continue to soar, wildfires aren't stopping Americans from moving to wildfire-prone states, and post-pandemic infrastructure isn't just roads and bridges but also education, healthcare and economic opportunity.

Experts: More bird flu testing needed to prevent spread, protect humans

play audio
Play

Thursday, May 16, 2024   

The number of avian flu cases in dairy cows is holding steady in New Mexico but experts say more testing is needed to prevent its spread and protect humans.

Technically known as H5N1, "bird flu" has been detected in eight Curry County herds, although no deaths were reported. In Texas, a man is known to have become ill with bird flu last month after contact with infected dairy cattle.

Andrew Pekosz, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, said the transmission to humans is cause for concern.

"Given that dairy farms have a large number of people who come in contact with infected cows, there is an increased chance of the H5N1 virus also directly infecting humans and beginning that process of adapting to replication and spread within humans themselves," Pekosz explained.

He acknowledged the risk to the public is still very low, but argued the U.S. should improve its response to new and emerging infections in order to minimize the chance of another pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week it will pay dairy farms with confirmed avian flu infections to help contain the virus' spread to people and more cows.

In Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the virus killed a dozen cats who drank raw cow milk.

Meghan Davis, associate professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University, said due to extensive federal food checks prior to human consumption, she believes it is safe to eat poultry and drink milk, with one exception.

"Raw milk and raw milk products may not undergo the same processes to inactivate the virus," Davis pointed out. "I have very large concerns about the safety of raw milk."

In addition to New Mexico, last month's outbreak affected more than 33 dairy cow herds in seven other states. To date, federal officials only mandate testing for dairy cows moving between states.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
High school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out than their peers. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

About half of youths experiencing depression in Illinois are not receiving treatment. While the state ranks fairly well nationwide when it comes to …


Environment

play sound

The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act would have prevented states from enforcing their own agricultural regulations, but has failed to …

Environment

play sound

An animal activist is speaking out ahead of her trial in May - accused of trespassing, theft and conspiracy after a protest at a poultry …


Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey warned any freeze of federal funding would be "devastating" for the state, which expects to receive more than $15 billion in federal reimbursements in fiscal year 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Massachusetts educators say President Donald Trump's threat to pause all federal grant programs has created instability for schools and their students…

Social Issues

play sound

By Taylor Haelterman for Triple Pundit.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

According to the Montana Budget and Policy Center, about 21% of Montana renters, about 27,985 households, are severely cost-burdened. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The Trump administration has rescinded a Monday memo to freeze federal grants. A week of confusion over fiscal policy has left some groups uncertain …

Social Issues

play sound

People who receive food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will no longer be reimbursed if their benefits are stolen…

Social Issues

play sound

Choosing a career path can be hard for high schoolers, especially if their district can't provide additional learning opportunities that move them in …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021