Robert Redfield, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has issued a stark warning about the likelihood of a bird flu pandemic. According to Redfield, the question is not if, but when this pandemic will occur. His alarming prediction comes amidst the backdrop of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, wreaking havoc on bird populations globally.

 

Over the past two years, bird flu has decimated millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide, yet human cases have remained relatively rare. Redfield, however, is convinced that this will change. In an interview with NewsNation's Brian Entin, he stated, "I really do think it’s very likely that we will, at some time, it’s not a question of if, it’s more of a question of when we will have a bird flu pandemic." He emphasized the potential severity of such an outbreak, noting that bird flu could have a significant mortality rate in humans, potentially between 25% and 50%, compared to COVID-19’s death rate of 0.6%.

 

Bird flu, an infection caused by influenza viruses that typically spread in birds and other animals, can infect humans who come into contact with an infected animal’s body fluids, such as spit, respiratory droplets, or feces. It can also spread if a person inhales dust particles in animal habitats or comes into contact with the fluids through the eyes, nose, or mouth. People working with poultry, waterfowl, and livestock are particularly vulnerable.

 

The Cleveland Clinic describes avian influenza as an infection primarily affecting birds, with human cases being extremely rare. However, Redfield, drawing on his extensive experience and research, outlined the conditions necessary for the virus to spread between humans. He explained that for bird flu to become transmissible among humans, five specific amino acids in the virus’s key receptor must mutate to allow it to bind to human receptors. Once this occurs, human-to-human transmission would become possible, potentially triggering a pandemic.

 

Redfield’s concern is heightened by recent developments. The virus has been detected in dozens of cattle across the United States, and the World Health Organization reported the first human death from bird flu in Mexico. He highlighted that while it remains unclear how long it will take for the necessary mutations to occur, the presence of the virus in cattle herds is troubling.

 

Research by Jenna Guthmiller, an assistant professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, sheds light on how bird flu might have spread to cattle. Guthmiller suggested that milking machines could be carrying the virus, as high levels have been found in the cows’ udders. This unusual outbreak in cattle, which are not natural hosts for influenza A viruses, has shocked the scientific community.

 

Despite these alarming signs, the CDC maintains that the general public’s current risk of contracting bird flu remains low. However, the agency is taking precautions, such as tracking wastewater treatment sites to monitor the virus’s presence. Nirav Shah, the CDC’s principal deputy director, noted that while the virus has not yet shown signs of spreading from person to person, the risk increases if infected individuals exhibit respiratory symptoms. Shah explained, “Simply put, someone who’s coughing may be more likely to transmit the virus than someone who has an eye infection like conjunctivitis.”

 

There have been three confirmed human cases of bird flu this year, all involving farmworkers directly exposed to infected dairy cattle. The first two cases in Texas and Michigan reported mild symptoms, including eye inflammation, while the third case in Michigan exhibited upper respiratory problems, sore throat, cough, and congestion. The CDC is monitoring 350 people exposed to infected dairy cows and has tested 39 individuals for the virus.

 

As the situation develops, the CDC stresses that bird flu remains primarily an animal health issue but is preparing for the possibility of a greater human health risk. The agency outlined symptoms of bird flu in humans, which range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory issues and even neurological problems. In rare cases, symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or seizures.

 

To combat a potential outbreak, researchers are developing new vaccines. Traditional influenza vaccines are made using fertilized eggs, which poses risks if wild birds carrying the virus contaminate vaccine production. However, a new experimental mRNA vaccine, developed by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine, could offer a solution. Unlike conventional vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not require eggs and could be more effective in managing outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in birds and cattle, as well as preventing human infections.

 

In conclusion, while the general public’s immediate risk remains low, the potential for a bird flu pandemic looms on the horizon. Former CDC Director Robert Redfield’s warnings underscore the need for vigilance and preparedness as scientists and health officials work to mitigate the threat of this deadly virus.

 

Related Topics:

Travellers Urged to Monitor for Bird Flu Symptoms After Trips Abroad

U.S. to Invest Millions in mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine Amid H5N1 Threat

Bird Flu in Cattle Should You Be Concerned?

First Human Case of Bird Flu Reported in Australia Amid New Farm Outbreak

 

Credit: Hill 2024-06-20

 

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Hopefully if it hits the United States, Trump won't be president at the time and mung it up like he did Covid-19. 

21 minutes ago, neeray said:

Hopefully if it hits the United States, Trump won't be president at the time and mung it up like he did Covid-19. 

I sincerely hope he mistaken but that being said I’m sure competent people are working on ways to deal with it!

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

He explained that for bird flu to become transmissible among humans, five specific amino acids in the virus’s key receptor must mutate to allow it to bind to human receptors. Once this occurs, human-to-human transmission would become possible, potentially triggering a pandemic.

 

Redfield’s concern is heightened by recent developments. The virus has been detected in dozens of cattle across the United States, and the World Health Organization reported the first human death from bird flu in Mexico.

 

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

bird flu could have a significant mortality rate in humans, potentially between 25% and 50%, compared to COVID-19’s death rate of 0.6%.

 

Mortality rate sounds scaring , just as possible human to human transmission ...

Scaremongering ? I think so .

Ooh, must be time to reinforce population control, so lets have another farcical economy destroying lockdown.

 

When did the numpties get to run the world?

Mexican man did not die from the bird flu

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/confirms-bird-flu-patient-mexico-died-medical-conditions-111136277

A post with conspiracy nonsense has been removed @BangkokHank

hahaha  swine flu scare, sars, mers, covid...  might all be from the same people

 

cull all the animals, increase the price or force you to go eat crickets ?

 

no thank you

2 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Mexican man did not die from the bird flu

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/confirms-bird-flu-patient-mexico-died-medical-conditions-111136277

 

 

exactly, but you get a chance here to be told a conspiracy nut if you even link the news article from the approved blinders on correct media

 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/kansas-sues-pfizer-over-misrepresentations-adverse-affects-covid-19-vaccine

Edited June 20, 20242 yr by Zab1e
Mistake

There is a reason for epidemics and pandemics. It is the same reason as wars and famine, terrorism and fundamentalism.

 

Too many people.

 

Gaia protecting herself.

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Over the past two years, bird flu has decimated millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide,

 

The many millions of farmed chickens did not die from bird flu  they where culled in an attempt to stop the spread,futile in my opinion  but the "eggspruts" have spoken.

Probably just in time to implement no-excuses, no ID, and no signature verification mail-in balloting for the election.  And scare Repubs (who generally vote on the day) with 6' personal space and huge lines at the polls.  Probably exacerbated by polling locations where the machines mysteriously crater for hours.

But the MSM will claim it was even more fair and secure than the 2020 debacle.  And the DOJ will prosecute anyone who says otherwise.

 

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

Probably just in time to implement no-excuses, no ID, and no signature verification mail-in balloting for the election.  And scare Repubs (who generally vote on the day) with 6' personal space and huge lines at the polls.  Probably exacerbated by polling locations where the machines mysteriously crater for hours.

But the MSM will claim it was even more fair and secure than the 2020 debacle.  And the DOJ will prosecute anyone who says otherwise.

 

Where on earth did that come from?

 

 

1 hour ago, johng said:

The many millions of farmed chickens did not die from bird flu  they where culled in an attempt to stop the spread,futile in my opinion  but the "eggspruts" have spoken.

OK, but the millions of wild birds were not culled. Nor were the tens of thousands of seals that have died, for instance. This virus is rapidly spreading to more and more different animal species that were never affected by it in the past. So far, at least 26 species of mammals are known to be affected.

 

This rapid spread began in 2020, "when a new strain of H5N1 emerged [that] could maintain itself in wild bird populations year-round."

 

'Unprecedented': How bird flu became an animal pandemic

4 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Mexican man did not die from the bird flu

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/confirms-bird-flu-patient-mexico-died-medical-conditions-111136277

Never let the truth get in the way of an attempt at population control.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Where on earth did that come from?

 

The Democrats' playbook.  It's a rinse and repeat from 2020 and Covid.

 

I forgot to mention that it will provide the excuse for Biden to campaign from his basement.  Again.

 

The fear of the bird flu infecting humans has been going on for some time. I don't normally get flu shots, mostly out of just not being bothered to do so, but I remember my last one in 2006. I had planned to come to Thailand that year and the US advised those who did to get flu shots. They were concerned that if you got the flu while in Thailand and you also got exposed to the bird flu virus, the virus could interact with each other and produce a new strain

16 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ooh, must be time to reinforce population control, so lets have another farcical economy destroying lockdown.

 

When did the numpties get to run the world?

When Trump was elected.

12 hours ago, impulse said:

Probably just in time to implement no-excuses, no ID, and no signature verification mail-in balloting for the election.  And scare Repubs (who generally vote on the day) with 6' personal space and huge lines at the polls.  Probably exacerbated by polling locations where the machines mysteriously crater for hours.

But the MSM will claim it was even more fair and secure than the 2020 debacle.  And the DOJ will prosecute anyone who says otherwise.

 

Good gosh. How did you get from bird flu to politics? Unreal. A true conspiracy theorist. Luckily. No dodgy links this time

Guaranteed another global pandemic will hit us. Just a matter of time. Sad the conspiracy theorists and right wing nut jobs don't want to plan for it. Just like climate change. Sad times

7 hours ago, Roo Island said:

Guaranteed another global pandemic will hit us. Just a matter of time. Sad the conspiracy theorists and right wing nut jobs don't want to plan for it. Just like climate change. Sad times

 

I don't see anyone not wanting to plan for it. 

 

I do see a lot of people whose lives were destroyed and futures were stolen by poor decisions that are just now (years later) being revealed as non-science based wild ass guesses.  And they're saying "let's not make the same mistakes".

 

Like following the advice of the CDC, which was responsible for the country with 4% of the world's population, the most Covid spending (by far) and 16% of the world's Covid deaths.  Maybe we don't want to follow their (bought and paid for) advice... 

 

Maybe we should look at countries that did much better, for much less, with less damage to their kids' futures.

 

 

Edited June 21, 20242 yr by impulse

Could there be another lock down, lock out in Thailand? I admit I liked living in Thailand during Covid. Fewer people, less air pollution, easier to get around. Anyway, I've still got masks, hand cleaner, and Fah Talai Jone in stock.

On 6/20/2024 at 10:15 AM, johng said:

 

The many millions of farmed chickens did not die from bird flu  they where culled in an attempt to stop the spread,futile in my opinion  but the "eggspruts" have spoken.

"HPAI A(H5) or A(H7) virus infections can cause disease that affects multiple internal organs with mortality up to 90% to 100% in chickens, often within 48 hours."

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/virus-transmission/avian-in-birds.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-birds.htm

On 6/20/2024 at 11:32 AM, impulse said:

Probably just in time to implement no-excuses, no ID, and no signature verification mail-in balloting for the election.  And scare Repubs (who generally vote on the day) with 6' personal space and huge lines at the polls.  Probably exacerbated by polling locations where the machines mysteriously crater for hours.

But the MSM will claim it was even more fair and secure than the 2020 debacle.  And the DOJ will prosecute anyone who says otherwise.

 

Given the lower covid  vaccination rate and higher covid death rate that positively correlated with the percentage of Republicans in different regions, it's not clear that Republicans know enough to be scared.

11 hours ago, Roo Island said:

Guaranteed another global pandemic will hit us. Just a matter of time. Sad the conspiracy theorists and right wing nut jobs don't want to plan for it. Just like climate change. Sad times

Yeh right. Now we have pandemic scares going on one after the other, when pandemics would come about once every hundred years. Guess the population wasn't that large back then or we didn't have people with an agenda. Kinda like the climate agenda which has nothing to do with the climate. Get your mask ready or perhaps you are wearing it now!

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

I don't see anyone not wanting to plan for it. 

 

I do see a lot of people whose lives were destroyed and futures were stolen by poor decisions that are just now (years later) being revealed as non-science based wild ass guesses.  And they're saying "let's not make the same mistakes".

 

Like following the advice of the CDC, which was responsible for the country with 4% of the world's population, the most Covid spending (by far) and 16% of the world's Covid deaths.  Maybe we don't want to follow their (bought and paid for) advice... 

 

Maybe we should look at countries that did much better, for much less, with less damage to their kids' futures.

 

 

Allowing misinformation to flourish, like the media outlets you follow, are one of the biggest problems. Something needs to be done. Plus, dealing with rabid politicians like MTG. What a horrible person

 

https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/news/fauci-covid-lessons-learned/

 

Rapid viral transmission has also shown that “misinformation is the enemy of pandemic control,” and misinformation is “one of the most important issues we’re facing, [and it] goes well beyond COVID.”

1 hour ago, 300sd said:

Yeh right. Now we have pandemic scares going on one after the other, when pandemics would come about once every hundred years. Guess the population wasn't that large back then or we didn't have people with an agenda. Kinda like the climate agenda which has nothing to do with the climate. Get your mask ready or perhaps you are wearing it now!

Back then, we didn't have airplanes that could transport people around the world in hours. It's got nothing to do with an agenda, unless you are into conspiracy theories. Seems like you are.

 

This is amazing to watch.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-spread.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-coronavirus&variant=show&region=TOP_BANNER&context=storylines_menu

 

How the Virus Won 

 

Invisible outbreaks sprang up everywhere. The United States ignored the warning signs. We analyzed travel patterns, hidden infections and genetic data to show how the epidemic spun out of control.

21 minutes ago, Roo Island said:

Allowing misinformation to flourish, like the media outlets you follow, are one of the biggest problems

What a sad proponent of censorship you are...the answer to "misinformation" is not censorship  it is more information  "unfortunately" the so called trusted sources have proven to rather untrustworthy over recent history hence the very understandable public distrust of MSM  and turn towards alternatives.

40 minutes ago, Roo Island said:

Invisible outbreaks sprang up everywhere. The United States ignored the warning signs. We analyzed travel patterns, hidden infections and genetic data to show how the epidemic spun out of control.

If the outbreaks where invisible  how did they see them ?   What warning signs  the invisible ones ?

Travel patterns  the whole world (developed) is dependent of  travel, shipping and freight for a multitude of necessities and not so necessary "stuff" 

(lock the world down ?)

hidden infections again..yes the narrative spun out of control   that's for sure  in my humble opinion of course  which all of the above was so no need for "links"