Keeping an eye on avian flu
Chickens stand in a holding pen at Ettamarie Peterson's farmin Petaluma, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. There are concerns that the flock of 50 hens could be infected with avian flu. AP Photo/Terry Chea
This country's largest producer of eggs put a temporary stop to its operations earlier this month, after it found bird flu in its chickens. It didn't stop there.
Now, officials are tracking avian flu outbreaks among dairy cows, and even one case where a human received bird flu themselves, due to contact with infected cows.
On the show, we'll learn about the current status of avian flu, and how it transfers to mammals. We'll also predict the spread of this disease in upcoming years, and if people should be concerned about a larger outbreak.
GUEST:
Dr. Jim Lowe
Associate Professor, Veterinary Clinical Medicine
UIUC College of Veterinary Medicine