Dear Dr. John,
Apparently, there’s a chicken flu that has been gaining traction in our nation. Is the chicken flu one thing I would like to fret about for myself or my canines? I discover that my native egg costs have shot up not too long ago. Is this the explanation? It appears that there are such a lot of completely different viruses that one has to fret about these days and are extra coming to people from animals? — W.M.
Dear W.M.,
There is loads of data and information protection on the topic. What is just not totally understood is the technique of transmission. It is suspected that wild migratory birds carry the virus which might then infect poultry flocks. In the final 12 months, over 58 million birds have been culled to stop transmission of the extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and 40 million of these have been egg laying hens. This naturally will increase the value of eggs on the grocery store based mostly on easy legal guidelines of provide and demand.
Added to which are provide chain points with inflation, journey, and workforce points and I’ve seen a quadrupling of my egg costs at my very own market in a couple of 12 months. I really feel your ache. Added to that, in Massachusetts all eggs now should come from cage free, free vary chickens which additionally compounds the issue by growing manufacturing prices.
Typically, chicken flus can even have an effect on mammals comparable to bears, skunks, and raccoons however you and your canines may also be affected though the chances are low. Infection is attributable to publicity to contaminated sick or useless birds, or their environments, and scientific indicators are typical for flus, however mortality will be excessive. Keeping your self and your canines away from any wild birds ought to keep away from any issues.
With COVID, chicken flu, and different rising viruses, the general public is turning into extra conscious of zoonoses that are illnesses or infections that transmit from animals to people. By definition, a zoonosis will be viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal. This is one motive why veterinarians are so necessary to public well being and why we have to take into account the time period “one health” – an intersection of human and animal well being with the setting.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic.He will be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”