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Avian flu has hit U.S. livestock for the first time, and mpox cases are on the rise again. We have biotech solutions for both. (449 words, 2 minutes, 14 seconds) |
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Avian flu hits U.S. livestock for first time |
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Avian flu—a.k.a. HPAI—spread to U.S. livestock for the first time, increasing concerns about crossover to humans and interest in biotech solutions.
What’s happening: Dairy cows in Kansas, Michigan, and Texas have tested positive for HPAI, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The first known U.S. livestock infection was March 20, in a goat on a Minnesota farm with infected poultry.
The USDA says milk is safe, as pasteurization kills the virus. However, milk from infected cows is destroyed as a precaution.
How is bird flu spreading? USDA could not rule out the possibility that HPAI spread between cows in Michigan. HPAI transmits rapidly among birds but mammal-to-mammal infection is still being studied. The rare human infections come from birds, though virus mutations seem to increase the possibility of transmission among humans.
There are vaccines for birds—but the USDA and growers prefer other control measures, as vaccinated birds can test positive and face export challenges. USDA began overseeing vaccine trials last year and results are expected in a couple years.
Other biotech solutions: U.K. scientists altered a single gene with CRISPR, which prevented infection in 9 of 10 chickens exposed to a moderate dose of bird flu. The scientists concluded full immunity will involve multiple gene edits.
Regulation remains a hurdle—but U.S. voters would like to see regulation of biotech in animals streamlined to enable faster innovation of solutions. |
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Mpox is on the rise – but we have solutions |
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With mpox rates rising in the United States, and an outbreak of a more deadly strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), health officials are urging vigilance and vaccination.
In the U.S.: As of March 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 511 mpox cases in the United States this year—nearly double last year’s pace (but still well below 2022, when 32,000 U.S. cases prompted a public health emergency).
In the DRC: Where the first known human cases were discovered in 1970, an outbreak for over a year has caused 12,569 cases and 581 deaths. The strain circulating in DRC is more likely to cause severe illness or death but hasn't reached the U.S., yet.
Reminder: We have solutions. JYNNEOS, approved for use against smallpox and mpox, works against all versions of the virus, limiting the spread and preventing severe infection. Data from the 2022 outbreak confirm the effectiveness. There's also an FDA-approved treatment, TPOXX, an antiviral made by SIGA Technologies.
The vaccine works and the cost is covered. Vaccination eradicated smallpox, which is closely related to mpox. And vaccination allowed us to contain the 2022 mpox outbreak.
Learn more: The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) has more about mpox and the vaccine. |
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