Bird Flu Vaccines: Progress or Just More Panic?

[Red Phoenix]

Three years in, the bird flu panic shows no signs of slowing down.   According to an April 16 report by Fox Carolina, millions of birds have “died.” But let’s be honest: Most were culled (which is a fancy name for selectively slaughtered).   According to the USDA, over 89 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been culled across 48 states since the start of the outbreak in 2022.

https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NarbWLBjfYqSKxDcEHtNBvTdsC7__znCNy-Yr5c5AqnPiSLYjLSYzynjVeytvqaDCpckmJl6ot4JZlse5FDsODHQmf7OHnwp_juLMPDNnQpo4a7H7r3LS8Lj86r=s0-d-e1-ft#https://arn.soundestlink.com/image/newsletter/68066484cd63dd05654d9dc1

Why? Because of a rigid government policy to kill entire flocks at the first sign of infection — even if just one bird tests positive.   "Culling is a useless strategy,” says Dr. Peter McCullough — and he's not alone. More experts are questioning whether slaughtering healthy livestock in panic mode is helping or just causing more chaos.

https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NajEsc5r-P8SN1zR2CxYwq4KIntWXBS1RhjOKLdKQHaufTFLtGEhrD3IGxUMLF4IynMuIkktmNbTKuyszpzkTS-Rb4jRk7mMKoTgnHBWEcuaExKLzy-G3fQWABy=s0-d-e1-ft#https://arn.soundestlink.com/image/newsletter/680665318d3ea0c1c88abc80

Thankfully, calmer heads have prevailed, as evidenced by egg prices, which have dropped by over 40% since February (according to USDA data).    Still, fear continues to spread faster than the virus.   The hysteria ramped up again when H5N1 was discovered in cattle — a first. Most human cases linked to the current strain in the U.S. are from contact with infected cows. But for perspective, only one person has died so far, and that was a backyard chicken farmer.   In response, scientists are rushing to develop a nasal vaccine for cows. This follows the USDA's conditional approval of a new bird flu vaccine developed by Zoetis. (Is it really a crisis without a vaccine waiting in the wings?)   Source: The Wellness Company (ads removed)   = = =

[Red Phoenix]

1 hour ago, Red Phoenix said:

Three years in, the bird flu panic shows no signs of slowing down.   According to an April 16 report by Fox Carolina, millions of birds have “died.” But let’s be honest: Most were culled (which is a fancy name for selectively slaughtered).   According to the USDA, over 89 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been culled across 48 states since the start of the outbreak in 2022.

https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NarbWLBjfYqSKxDcEHtNBvTdsC7__znCNy-Yr5c5AqnPiSLYjLSYzynjVeytvqaDCpckmJl6ot4JZlse5FDsODHQmf7OHnwp_juLMPDNnQpo4a7H7r3LS8Lj86r=s0-d-e1-ft#https://arn.soundestlink.com/image/newsletter/68066484cd63dd05654d9dc1

Why? Because of a rigid government policy to kill entire flocks at the first sign of infection — even if just one bird tests positive.   "Culling is a useless strategy,” says Dr. Peter McCullough — and he's not alone. More experts are questioning whether slaughtering healthy livestock in panic mode is helping or just causing more chaos.

https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NajEsc5r-P8SN1zR2CxYwq4KIntWXBS1RhjOKLdKQHaufTFLtGEhrD3IGxUMLF4IynMuIkktmNbTKuyszpzkTS-Rb4jRk7mMKoTgnHBWEcuaExKLzy-G3fQWABy=s0-d-e1-ft#https://arn.soundestlink.com/image/newsletter/680665318d3ea0c1c88abc80

Thankfully, calmer heads have prevailed, as evidenced by egg prices, which have dropped by over 40% since February (according to USDA data).    Still, fear continues to spread faster than the virus.   The hysteria ramped up again when H5N1 was discovered in cattle — a first. Most human cases linked to the current strain in the U.S. are from contact with infected cows. But for perspective, only one person has died so far, and that was a backyard chicken farmer.   In response, scientists are rushing to develop a nasal vaccine for cows. This follows the USDA's conditional approval of a new bird flu vaccine developed by Zoetis. (Is it really a crisis without a vaccine waiting in the wings?)   Source: The Wellness Company (ads removed)   = = =

 

Re-posted below, but now with the two pictures inserted.

Bird Flu Vaccines: Progress or Just More Panic?

Three years in, the bird flu panic shows no signs of slowing down.   According to an April 16 report by Fox Carolina, millions of birds have “died.” But let’s be honest: Most were culled (which is a fancy name for selectively slaughtered).   According to the USDA, over 89 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks have been culled across 48 states since the start of the outbreak in 2022.

 

Why? Because of a rigid government policy to kill entire flocks at the first sign of infection — even if just one bird tests positive.   "Culling is a useless strategy,” says Dr. Peter McCullough — and he's not alone. More experts are questioning whether slaughtering healthy livestock in panic mode is helping or just causing more chaos.

 

 

Thankfully, calmer heads have prevailed, as evidenced by egg prices, which have dropped by over 40% since February (according to USDA data).    Still, fear continues to spread faster than the virus.   The hysteria ramped up again when H5N1 was discovered in cattle — a first. Most human cases linked to the current strain in the U.S. are from contact with infected cows. But for perspective, only one person has died so far, and that was a backyard chicken farmer.   In response, scientists are rushing to develop a nasal vaccine for cows. This follows the USDA's conditional approval of a new bird flu vaccine developed by Zoetis. (Is it really a crisis without a vaccine waiting in the wings?)   Source: The Wellness Company (ads removed)   = = =

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Consider the source re a discredited doctor, stripped of his medical board certifications, whose main business now is selling unproven and debunked supplement "cures" and "treatments":

 

Per Wikipedia:

 

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, [Peter] McCullough advocated for early treatment using the discredited treatments hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin,^[25][26][24] criticized the response of the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration,^[25] dissented from public health recommendations,^[27][24][28] and contributed to COVID-19 misinformation.

...

McCullough has served as Chief Scientific Officer for The Wellness Company, a Florida-based dietary supplement and telehealth company, since its founding in June 2022.^[53][54]

 

In October 2022, the American Board of Internal Medicine recommended that McCullough's board certification be revoked due to his promotion of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_A._McCullough

 

 

ABIM Revokes Certification of Another Doctor Who Made Controversial COVID Claims

January 2, 2025

 

"The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) revoked the board certification of Peter McCullough, MD, MPH, a cardiologist who promoted controversial views about COVID-19.

...

McCullough is currently listed as chief science officer of The Wellness Company, the owner of which was recently reported as also investing in an anti-vaccine dating site and launching a coffee brand for "anti-woke" consumers. The Wellness Company sells supplements, one of which is called "Ultimate Spike Detox." It costs $89.99 for 120 capsules."

 

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/113624

 

 

 

 

[Stiddle Mump]

49 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Consider the source re a discredited doctor, stripped of his medical board certifications, whose main business now is selling unproven and debunked supplement "cures" and "treatments":

 

Per Wikipedia:

 

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, [Peter] McCullough advocated for early treatment using the discredited treatments hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin,^[25][26][24] criticized the response of the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration,^[25] dissented from public health recommendations,^[27][24][28] and contributed to COVID-19 misinformation.

...

McCullough has served as Chief Scientific Officer for The Wellness Company, a Florida-based dietary supplement and telehealth company, since its founding in June 2022.^[53][54]

 

In October 2022, the American Board of Internal Medicine recommended that McCullough's board certification be revoked due to his promotion of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_A._McCullough

 

 

ABIM Revokes Certification of Another Doctor Who Made Controversial COVID Claims

January 2, 2025

 

"The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) revoked the board certification of Peter McCullough, MD, MPH, a cardiologist who promoted controversial views about COVID-19.

...

McCullough is currently listed as chief science officer of The Wellness Company, the owner of which was recently reported as also investing in an anti-vaccine dating site and launching a coffee brand for "anti-woke" consumers. The Wellness Company sells supplements, one of which is called "Ultimate Spike Detox." It costs $89.99 for 120 capsules."

 

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/features/113624

 

Copy; paste. Copy; paste. Copy; paste. And then; even more Copy; paste. 

 

Why not put forward some kind of discussion point John bud? No?! OK! I'll start one:

 

'There is no such thing as Asian Bird Flu.'

 

Let's have it, in your words, why you may, or my not, agree. Perhaps then a meaningful debate is possible.

 

And, by the way, I don't agree with the learned Dr McCullough on most of what he says.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Avian flu is not among my areas of particular familiarity... But in doing some reading, it seems as though there are several possible approaches to combating avian flu outbreaks -- each of which has its own set of risks:

 

--Do nothing, and risk that the current outbreaks become more widespread and potentially wipe out some major portion of the U.S.'s huge and economically important poultry industry. And risk that further spread of avian influenza could spill over into becoming the next major human disease pandemic.

 

--Continue culling poultry in the case of outbreaks, which evokes the ire of animal rights activists, and hasn't really fully prevented the continuing spread of avian flu among poultry in recent years, even though it has contained those outbreaks somewhat.

 

--Follow the practice of some other countries and launch a poultry vaccination campaign against avian influenza, which would have to be approved and launched by the generally anti-vax Trump Admin, and which I'm sure would be heartily welcomed by all the anti-vaxers here on this part of the forum in lieu of poultry culling.   🙂

 

The publication Science had a report back in February offering some context on all of the above:

 

U.S. conditionally approves vaccine to protect poultry from avian flu

14 Feb 2025

 

"...the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) yesterday conditionally approved a vaccine to protect the birds. President Donald Trump’s administration may therefore soon face a fraught decision on whether to join the ranks of other nations—including China, France, Egypt, and Mexico—that vaccinate poultry against H5N1.

 

Although many influenza researchers contend that vaccination can help control spread of the deadly virus, the U.S. government has long resisted allowing its use because of politics and trade concerns that many contend are unscientific. The USDA approval may signal a shift in policy linked to the Trump administration’s worries about egg prices...

...

HPAI strains such as the current H5N1 have for decades been stamped out largely by culling affected flocks and enforcing strict biosecurity measures. But that strategy has failed since the February 2022 emergence in the U.S. of an H5N1 virus that belongs to a lineage known as clade 2.3.4.4b. Many scientists now worry the virus cannot be eradicated from the U.S. poultry flock, which means it has become endemic rather than epidemic."

 

https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-conditionally-approves-vaccine-protect-poultry-avian-flu

 

 

Per the NY Times from 2024:

 

"Since February 2022, more than 82 million farmed birds have been culled, according to the agency’s website. For context, the American poultry industry produces more than nine billion chickens and turkeys each year."

 

https://archive.ph/Gnsiu

 

Culling infected poultry in the absence of vaccination doesn't eradicate the disease, but instead allows it to continue spreading within some constrained limits -- which means a continuing risk that those outbreaks at some point could further spill over into more animal species and then humans on a wide scale.

 

Are We on the Cusp of a Major Bird Flu Outbreak?

March 7, 2025

 

"Bird flu, or H5N1 avian influenza, has been circulating across North America since 2022, infecting birds, livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans. Despite 70 documented human cases, there are no known instances of human-to-human transmission — but some scientists are starting to worry that it’s only a matter of time.

...

Up until 2024, there have been almost 1,000 documented human cases of H5N1 in multiple countries, with a fatality rate of about 50 percent. In 2022, a new [for now milder] subtype of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b emerged in North America and spread to domestic poultry and many wild mammal species. Over the past year, this subtype of H5N1 has also been spreading in dairy cows. [emphasis added]

...

HMNews: On a scale from one to ten, how worried are you about H5N1 becoming a major pandemic?

 

[other responses omitted to comply with the forum's fair use quoting policy]...

 

Lemieux: I would put it at a six or a seven. In infectious diseases, we have a saying that resistance is a function of time and titer, meaning that the ability for a pathogen to evolve depends on time under pressure and size of the reservoir. The virus has been with us for several years in multiple species, and the reservoir is large. I think we are living next to a volcano, and it may erupt or it may not. But we need to prepare for the possibility of a pandemic."

 

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/are-we-cusp-major-bird-flu-outbreak

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

And of course, the board certification-revoked doctor in the OP, Peter McCullough,  and his minions are already selling their own "Contagion Kit" for $325 a pop, complete with MAGA-favorites Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, for those who worry they might become infected with avian influenza:

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/twc.health/reel/C8rfAqaRQmQ/

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/P_McCulloughMD/status/1876437720882466966

 

 

 

 

https://www.twc.health/pages/contagion-emergency-kit

 

 

Perhaps by coming out against the culling of poultry for avian influenza, McCullough is hoping the disease will become a greater thread to humans and mean more of an opportunity for he and his hucksters to sell a bunch of unproven "treatments".

 

The U.S. CDC, for its part, seems to mainly recommend Oseltamivir (generic Tamiflu) -- and not Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine, which already have been discredited as COVID treatments -- as its primary medication for human avian influenza:

 

"This document provides guidance for antiviral treatment of human infection with novel influenza A viruses associated with severe human disease (examples include but are not limited to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) and A(H5N6) viruses and avian influenza A(H7N9) virus). These recommendations are based on available data on the treatment of infections caused by influenza viruses, including seasonal, pandemic, and novel influenza A viruses, and expert opinion."

Outpatients

• Initiation of antiviral treatment with oseltamivir is recommended as soon as possible for symptomatic outpatients who are confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of infection with a novel influenza A virus associated with severe human disease."
•  

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/hcp/novel-av-treatment-guidance/index.html