In the shadow of rising global health concerns, a quiet rebellion is brewing among cattle ranchers and dairy farmers across the United States. Despite the World Health Organization's stringent protocols aimed at controlling the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, many farmers are choosing to defy these guidelines. They are barring inspectors from their properties and refusing to test their livestock, driven by the fear of economic fallout from potential positive results. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the U.S. is the only country reporting infections in cattle, raising alarm bells not just for public health officials, but for the farming community as well. With the specter of lost income and disrupted operations looming large, many in the agricultural sector grapple with the delicate balance between compliance with health mandates and the survival of their livelihoods. As experts seek to understand the true extent of bird flu's impact on cattle, the underlying tensions between health protocols and economic realities come into sharp focus.
TPV: Cattle ranchers and dairy farmers across the US are quietly defying the WHO’s pandemic protocols, barring inspectors from their farms and refusing to test their animals for bird flu.
The last time we reviewed the situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as “bird flu,” ten poultry workers in Colorado had developed symptoms, primarily pink eye.
Infected cattle continue to exhibit only the mildest symptoms, and there is currently no evidence that humans can contract the disease except through direct contact with the body fluids of infected animals.
This state of affairs has not stopped the World Health Organization (WHO) from ordering stringent testing protocols across the US, including regular inspections and tests of livestock and flocks for the virus.
Reuters spoke with more than a dozen researchers, veterinarians, farmers, and livestock industry groups to understand whether the bird-flu spread in dairy cattle is being accurately tracked.
State animal and human health experts in three states who work closely with veterinarians and farmers said the government tally is likely an under-count because farmers are fearful of the economic hardship brought by a positive test, including being restricted from selling their milk or cattle for weeks.
According to officials, the virus has the potential to reduce milk production in cattle. The US, the world’s second-largest cheese producer after Europe, is the only country with known infections in cows.
“While we have nine official positives, there are many, many, many more farms that are impacted or infected that are just not testing,” said Joe Armstrong, a veterinarian and cattle expert at the University of Minnesota, who has spoken with farmers across the state.
Legal Insurrection reports: It must also be noted, Americans have stopped racing to get covid tests whenever they have cold-like symptoms. Public health officials are now resorting to sampling sewage to gauge how many people have covid.
Despite the complete lockdown of society, in some places for over two years, in the attempt to end covid, there appears to be a lot of covid in many places.
With U.S. citizens and municipalities now a less reliable source of data, experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have turned to the sewers to monitor the presence of infectious disease in our wastewater.
Sewage appears to be the go-to source for samples now. Wastewater in this country is also being tested for monkeypox and was detected in a sample from San Francisco.
The mpox virus has been detected in San Francisco’s wastewater, after the disease was declared a “public health emergency of international concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WastewaterSCAN Dashboard, a public health tool used to monitor infectious diseases within communities, shows that mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was detected in southeast San Francisco on July 26, August 11 and August 12.
It is important to note that it is not clear whether these detections come from human sources.
Humans have an immune system for a reason. Perhaps it is time to embrace the idea that there is no way to 100% vaccinate people or animals to completely prevent all illness at all times.
We also need to put a check on global officials, who are busy expanding pandemic watchlists with an eye to expanding their power and influence.
The Black Death plague, bird flu and mpox are among 24 threats that have been added to an influential watchlist of the pathogens that could trigger the next pandemic.
In the first update since Covid-19 swept the planet, a World Health Organisation (WHO) panel has dramatically expanded the scope of its index of so-called priority pathogens.
Already notorious diseases like Zika, yellow fever and avian influenza have been added, alongside lesser known threats such as Sin Nombre virus – which jumps from deer mice to people and has a fatality rate of 30 per cent in the US. Several bacteria, including cholera, the plague and salmonella, have also been incorporated for the first time.
Opinion: The situation you've described highlights a complex intersection of agricultural practices, public health protocols, and the challenges of pandemic management. Here are some key takeaways:
Defiance of WHO Protocols: The reluctance of U.S. cattle ranchers and dairy farmers to comply with WHO's bird flu testing protocols reflects a significant tension between public health measures and economic interests. Farmers fear that testing positive for bird flu could lead to severe economic repercussions, including the inability to sell their milk or cattle. This has reportedly led to under-reporting of infections, complicating disease tracking efforts.
Current Bird Flu Impact: Although cases of bird flu in cattle have been recorded, symptoms remain mild, and human transmission is rare, primarily occurring through direct contact. This perception of low risk may contribute to farmers’ resistance to testing, as they prioritize economic stability over compliance with health regulations.
Shift to Wastewater Monitoring: The reliance on wastewater sampling for monitoring infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and mpox, marks a notable shift in public health strategy. This method allows for broader surveillance when traditional reporting methods (like individual testing) become unreliable. It reflects a pragmatic approach to understanding disease prevalence in populations.
Expanded Pathogen Watchlist: The WHO's expansion of its priority pathogen watchlist, which now includes historically significant threats like the plague and emerging ones like mpox, underscores an increasing focus on preparedness for potential pandemics. This move may be seen as both a proactive public health measure and a potential concern regarding the scope of authority granted to global health organizations.
Public Sentiment and Immunity: The notion that humans and animals cannot be completely immune to all diseases raises philosophical and practical questions about public health strategies. It suggests a need for balance between vaccination efforts and the recognition of natural immunity and the realities of disease transmission.
This situation serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing agricultural practices, economic considerations, and public health protocols in an interconnected world. As the landscape of infectious diseases evolves, collaboration between farmers, health officials, and policymakers will be crucial in navigating these complexities.