As bird flu wreaks havoc in the Midwest, researchers say vaccines offer a way out
planetdetroit.org
Bird flu has killed over 166 million birds nationwide. Experts say poultry vaccination is crucial to control the virus and prevent a pandemic.

Great Lakes farms have become a hot spot for bird flu, killing millions of birds and raising fears of a human pandemic.

  • courageousstep@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    I’ve heard conflicting information.

    1. That a vaccine would be lifesaving and egg-saving, and it would be a great thing.
    2. With a vaccine, exporting chickens/eggs to other countries will be impossible because they won’t want to import eggs/meat potentially carrying bird flu (which wouldn’t be known because the chickens wouldn’t show symptoms). So, if food-cautious countries don’t want vaccinated products because of their potential to harbor bird flu, do I want those products? Would this increase the chance for the flu to jump between species?

    I am not knowledgeable enough to know which is the better way forward. Can anyone speak to this?

    • CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.world
      9·
      2 days ago

      The benefit here would be to eradicate the virus, so that in about 6 months or so there can be confidence that there’s no issue anymore.

        • CeeBee_Eh@lemmy.world
          5·
          1 day ago

          Yes, I remember reading that they’ve set up vaccination centres for wild birds. No appointments though.

          Edit: I had it backwards. It’s by appointment only, and they’ve had very low vaccination numbers despite all the bird calls.