Opinion: This Thanksgiving, don’t eat turkeys. Try honoring them instead
1 year, 1 month ago

Opinion: This Thanksgiving, don’t eat turkeys. Try honoring them instead

LA Times  

It’s time to talk turkey. Each year, approximately 46 million turkeys are slaughtered for the Thanksgiving holiday, and this year the suffering of these smart and socially sophisticated animals is compounded by t he return of bird flu to the nation’s turkey industry. Like COVID-19, this airborne disease spreads quickly, and the number of U.S. farmed birds that have died or have been culled due to avian flu since 2022 has passed 60 million. While industry and government officials claim that bird flu does not threaten public health, it has infected people, and human cases reported since 2003 have shown a 52% mortality rate. A national survey commissioned by the Animal Welfare Institute in 2021, found that 70% of poultry consumers were opposed to denying birds access to the outdoors, and 63% opposed the cutting of turkeys’ beaks and toes without pain relief, common practices used to maximize profitability.

Animals Holiday Animal Birds Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Bird Flu Turkeys  bird  animal  opinion  turkey  turkeys  honoring  flu  eat  holiday  try  instead  thanksgiving  birds  animals  dont  disease

History of this topic

Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas
3 days, 3 hours ago

Bird flu outbreak hits Britain's turkey farms as tens of thousands are culled and rest ordered to be kept indoors days before Christmas

Daily Mail  

Turkey farms have been hit by an outbreak of bird flu as tens of thousands of birds have been culled and ordered to be kept indoors just before Christmas. This is the first outbreak of bird flu in captive animals since February and no humans have yet been infected with the risk of spread to people remaining very low. Avian …

How your Christmas turkey leaves the kitchen smeared with food poisoning bugs: Grim photos reveal exactly where bacteria spreads - and will make you think twice about scoffing mince pies
5 days, 9 hours ago

How your Christmas turkey leaves the kitchen smeared with food poisoning bugs: Grim photos reveal exactly where bacteria spreads - and will make you think twice about scoffing mince pies

Daily Mail  

Not to put a dampener on it, but the festive season is a peak time to get food poisoning. As Dr Kevin Hargin, former head of foodborne disease control at the Food Standards Agency, said: ‘People buy a lot more food than usual, they’re catering for bigger numbers, their fridges are over-stuffed and not working efficiently, and food gets left …

Letters to the Editor: A doctor’s fear that we’re careening toward a bird flu disaster
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Letters to the Editor: A doctor’s fear that we’re careening toward a bird flu disaster

LA Times  

Bird flu outbreaks at dairy farms are sparking fears of a major threat to human health. To the editor: As a retired public health and emergency medicine physician, I want to thank you for your recent articles about the bird flu, most recently those articles by Times reporters Susanne Rust and Melissa Gomez. The combination of a mutating and potentially …

No sweat: Simple ways to to ease your anxiety and help save on Thanksgiving food costs this year
3 weeks, 5 days ago

No sweat: Simple ways to to ease your anxiety and help save on Thanksgiving food costs this year

Salon  

Thanksgiving is a marvelous holiday—but not always for our wallets. I like to keep a ‘stock bag’ in my freezer where I collect vegetable and meat trimmings to make stock.” For post-shopping strategies, Obrez recommends serving smaller portions: “Start with a smaller plate. Shopping for savings Despite inflation, Thanksgiving may cost less this year, according to Dr. Michael Swanson, chief …

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing
54 years, 11 months ago

The Bird Flu Threat Keeps Growing

Wired  

Ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza have decimated poultry flocks and wild birds across the United States and worldwide. On July 25, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an additional three human cases, bringing the total number of US cases to 13 since April. “These cases are not entirely surprising given that these people were working with infected …

Is bird flu in cattle here to stay?
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Is bird flu in cattle here to stay?

LA Times  

Despite assurances from the federal government that bird flu will be eradicated from the nation’s dairy cows, some experts worry the disease is here to stay. Recently, Eric Deeble, USDA acting senior advisor for H5N1 response, said that the federal government hoped to “eliminate the disease from the dairy herd” without requiring vaccines. David Topham, a professor of microbiology and …

Opinion: Bird flu is a real threat. Here’s a way to fight it
6 months ago

Opinion: Bird flu is a real threat. Here’s a way to fight it

LA Times  

If the last couple years are any indication, bird flu is not just for the birds. Livestock transport is regulated at the federal level by the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which requires animals traveling domestically for more than 28 hours to be offloaded for food, water and rest, and the Animal Health Protection Act, which gives the USDA broad authority to …

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction
6 months, 1 week ago

Ex-CDC Director Makes Alarming Bird Flu Prediction

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former CDC Director Robert Redfield suggested that a bird flu pandemic among humans is inevitable ― and would be extremely lethal. “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,” Redfield …

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu
6 months, 1 week ago

With 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — As the U.S. dairy industry confronts a bird flu outbreak, with cases reported at dozens of farms and the disease spreading to people, the egg industry could serve as an example of how to slow the disease but also shows how difficult it can be to eradicate the virus. He said it appears that bird flu …

More than four million chickens to be killed after bird flu hits egg farm
6 months, 3 weeks ago

More than four million chickens to be killed after bird flu hits egg farm

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Farmers will have to …

Farmers must kill 4.2 million chickens after bird flu hits Iowa egg farm
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Farmers must kill 4.2 million chickens after bird flu hits Iowa egg farm

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 4 million chickens in Iowa will have to be killed after a case of the highly pathogenic bird flu was detected at a large egg farm, the state announced Tuesday. Crews are in the process of killing 4.2 million chickens after the disease was found at a farm in Sioux County, Iowa, making it …

Bird flu virus detected in beef from an ill dairy cow, but USDA says meat remains safe
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Bird flu virus detected in beef from an ill dairy cow, but USDA says meat remains safe

Live Mint  

Bird flu has been detected in beef for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday, but officials said the meat from a single sickened dairy cow was not allowed to enter the nation's food supply and beef remains safe to eat. Bird flu has been confirmed in dairy cattle herds in nine states, has been found in …

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans
7 months, 2 weeks ago

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans

Daily Mail  

The FDA is gearing up for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four of those it infects, the agency's top official has revealed. Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, pictured speaking to the Senate's agriculture committee on Wednesday The above graph shows the dairy herds that have tested positive for bird flu over time. Officials fear …

The USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu. Experts are confident the meat supply is safe
7 months, 3 weeks ago

The USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu. Experts are confident the meat supply is safe

Associated Press  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will test ground beef for bird flu particles, though officials said Tuesday they’re confident the nation’s meat supply is safe. Bird flu has been found in nearly three-dozen dairy herds across nine states. Two studies will test if particles of the bird flu virus, called Type A H5N1, is found in beef for sale in …

The USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu. Experts are confident the meat supply is safe
7 months, 3 weeks ago

The USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu. Experts are confident the meat supply is safe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.S. Department of Agriculture …

Bird Flu Outbreak: Foods to eat and avoid, safety precautions and more
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Bird Flu Outbreak: Foods to eat and avoid, safety precautions and more

India TV News  

The recent outbreak of bird flu has sparked concerns worldwide, prompting individuals to take extra precautions to safeguard their health. Bird Flu: Foods to Avoid Raw Poultry and Eggs: Steer clear of consuming raw or undercooked poultry products and eggs, as they pose a significant risk of transmitting the bird flu virus. Bird Flu: Safety Precautions Hand Hygiene: Practise frequent …

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO
8 months ago

Human cases of bird flu 'an enormous concern': WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization voiced alarm Thursday at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate. "This remains I think an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with …

Fresh bird flu pandemic fears as WHO warns outbreak is of 'enormous concern' and would have 'extraordinarily high' death rates
8 months ago

Fresh bird flu pandemic fears as WHO warns outbreak is of 'enormous concern' and would have 'extraordinarily high' death rates

Daily Mail  

The increasing spread of bird flu to humans is an 'enormous concern', the World Health Organization has warned. Experts at the World Health Organization said the strain humans face an 'extraordinarily high' mortality rate if it were to take hold, currently killing more than half of those infected. Jeremy Farrar, the UN health agency's chief scientist, said: 'This remains I …

WHO Voices Alarm At Rising Bird Flu Cases, Calls It 'Enormous Concern'
8 months ago

WHO Voices Alarm At Rising Bird Flu Cases, Calls It 'Enormous Concern'

News 18  

The World Health Organization voiced alarm Thursday at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an “extraordinarily high” mortality rate. “This remains I think an enormous concern,” the UN health agency’s chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva. But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with …

More than a dozen states quarantine COWS to halt spread of bird flu - as experts grow increasingly worried about outbreak in people
8 months, 1 week ago

More than a dozen states quarantine COWS to halt spread of bird flu - as experts grow increasingly worried about outbreak in people

Daily Mail  

Farms in several states are quarantining cows amid fears of rapidly spreading bird flu. Health officials in 18 states have placed restrictions on imports of cattle from states where the bird flu, also known as H5N1, has been confirmed in dairy cows. Although officials say the risk to humans who eat beef is 'very low,' some experts are concerned about …

Letters to the Editor: Slaughtering 46 million turkeys is an odd way to give thanks
1 year, 1 month ago

Letters to the Editor: Slaughtering 46 million turkeys is an odd way to give thanks

LA Times  

President Biden speaks after “pardoning” the national Thanksgiving turkey at the White House on Nov. 20. To the editor: Thanks to The Times for publishing an opinion piece calling on people to honor turkeys instead of eating them. Killing 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving is a horrific way to honor tradition and to follow cultural norms. It’s maddening to constantly …

The bird flu outbreak isn’t over, but it’s less severe, helping egg and poultry prices recover
1 year, 1 month ago

The bird flu outbreak isn’t over, but it’s less severe, helping egg and poultry prices recover

Associated Press  

— Nearly 5 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been slaughtered this year because of a persistent bird flu outbreak that began in 2022, but as big as that number may sound, it’s far less than the number of birds killed last year which means consumers aren’t seeing as much impact on poultry and egg prices. Egg prices peaked …

Fears bird flu could ruin Christmas dinner this year
1 year, 2 months ago

Fears bird flu could ruin Christmas dinner this year

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A turkey farmer …

Deadly bird flu reappears in US commercial poultry flocks in Utah and South Dakota
1 year, 2 months ago

Deadly bird flu reappears in US commercial poultry flocks in Utah and South Dakota

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Highly pathogenic bird flu has made its first appearances in U.S. commercial poultry flocks this season, affecting one turkey farm in South Dakota and one in Utah and raising concerns that more outbreaks could follow. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that avian influenza, which is deadly to commercial poultry, was confirmed in a flock of 47,300 turkeys …

Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year
1 year, 10 months ago

Bird flu costs pile up as outbreak enters second year

Associated Press  

— The ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers’ pain at the grocery store after more than 58 million birds were slaughtered to limit the spread of the virus. The outbreak is already more widespread than the last major bird flu outbreak in 2015, but it hasn’t proven as costly yet partly …

The Bird Flu Outbreak Has Taken an Ominous Turn
1 year, 10 months ago

The Bird Flu Outbreak Has Taken an Ominous Turn

Wired  

This week, Argentina and Uruguay declared national health emergencies following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, the fast-moving virus that destroys poultry flocks and wild birds, and for decades has been feared as a possible spark for a pandemic among people. That makes 10 South American countries that have recently marked their first-ever encounter with the virus, including Peru—where …

Latest Iowa bird flu cases push December total near 700,000
2 years ago

Latest Iowa bird flu cases push December total near 700,000

Associated Press  

— Four new cases of bird flu at Iowa turkey farms in the past few days will push the number of birds slaughtered nationwide this month to limit the spread of the virus up to nearly 700,000. The latest cases announced by the Iowa Department of Agriculture only add to the toll of this year’s ongoing outbreak that has prompted …

Half of free range turkeys dead due to bird flu as UK faces ‘big’ Christmas shortage
2 years ago

Half of free range turkeys dead due to bird flu as UK faces ‘big’ Christmas shortage

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Consumers have been warned of a “big, big shortage” of …

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska
2 years ago

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska

Associated Press  

— Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture said Saturday that the state’s 13th case of bird flu was found …

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska
2 years ago

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Bird flu infects Iowa egg farm with 1 million chickens
2 years, 1 month ago

Bird flu infects Iowa egg farm with 1 million chickens

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa agriculture officials said Monday that another commercial egg farm in the state has been infected with bird flu, the first commercial farm case identified since April, when a turkey farm was infected. The latest case is in Wright County in north central Iowa about 80 miles north of Des Moines housing about 1.1 million chickens. …

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu
2 years, 1 month ago

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britons face a “severe” shortage of turkeys this Christmas as …

Bird flu spreads to Southern California, infecting chickens, wild birds and other animals
2 years, 2 months ago

Bird flu spreads to Southern California, infecting chickens, wild birds and other animals

LA Times  

Chickens roaming and clucking inside one of the many henhouses at a poultry facility in Nuevo, Calif., in November 2017. And though government officials are primarily concerned about poultry farms, the epidemic has struck wild birds, too — from waterfowl to raptors and vultures. “Unfortunately, we’re really just at the beginning” of this highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, said Dr. …

Bird flu forces egg farm to euthanize 3 million chickens
2 years, 3 months ago

Bird flu forces egg farm to euthanize 3 million chickens

Associated Press  

TOLEDO, Ohio — An outbreak of bird flu that has led to the deaths of 43 million chickens and turkeys this year across the U.S. has been found at a giant egg-laying operation in Ohio, state and federal agriculture officials said Wednesday. The case confirmed over the weekend in Ohio’s Defiance County has affected roughly 3 million chickens, according to …

Bird flu outbreak nears worst ever in US with 37 million chickens and turkeys dead
2 years, 7 months ago

Bird flu outbreak nears worst ever in US with 37 million chickens and turkeys dead

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

2 bird flu cases confirmed in US zoos as virus spreads
2 years, 8 months ago

2 bird flu cases confirmed in US zoos as virus spreads

Associated Press  

— Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in U.S. zoos, but officials said they won’t order widespread euthanasia of zoo birds the way they have on farms. Stepien said zoos work with state veterinary officials when the virus is found, but unlike farms, zoos are generally allowed to isolate and treat an infected bird as long as they …

Bird flu’s grisly question: how to kill millions of poultry
2 years, 8 months ago

Bird flu’s grisly question: how to kill millions of poultry

Associated Press  

— The spread of a bird flu that is deadly to poultry raises the grisly question of how farms manage to quickly kill and dispose of millions of chickens and turkeys. Mike Stepien, a spokesman for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said the techniques are the best options when it’s necessary to quickly kill so many birds. …

Iowa egg, turkey farms to lose 5 million birds to bird flu
2 years, 8 months ago

Iowa egg, turkey farms to lose 5 million birds to bird flu

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Bird flu has infected two more farms in Iowa, forcing the killing of 5.3 million hens and 88,000 turkeys, officials said Friday. The new cases mean that across the nation, farmers have had to kill about 22 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens but also including 1.8 million broiler chickens, 1.9 million pullet and other commercial chickens, …

Chicken, turkey farmers struggle to keep birds safe from flu
2 years, 9 months ago

Chicken, turkey farmers struggle to keep birds safe from flu

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Nearly 7 million chickens and turkeys in 13 states have been killed this year due to avian influenza, prompting officials and farmers to acknowledge that, despite their best efforts, stopping the disease from infecting poultry is incredibly difficult. Food prices already are elevated due to inflation and supply chain problems, and if the bird flu outbreak …

Bird flu confirmed in northwest Iowa commercial turkey flock
2 years, 9 months ago

Bird flu confirmed in northwest Iowa commercial turkey flock

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Officials announced Monday that they have identified bird flu in a commercial flock of 50,000 turkeys in northwest Iowa, the state’s second case of a virus that has been identified in multiple U.S. states. Iowa agriculture officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the case in Buena Vista County, about 100 miles north of the …

Bird flu detected in western Iowa backyard flock
2 years, 9 months ago

Bird flu detected in western Iowa backyard flock

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Bird flu has been detected in a backyard flock of ducks and chickens in western Iowa, federal officials said Wednesday, a troubling development for a state that is home to the nation’s largest number of egg-laying hens. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in the flock of fewer than 50 …

US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert
2 years, 10 months ago

US bird flu case puts chicken, turkey farms on high alert

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Farms that raise turkeys and chickens for meat and eggs are on high alert and taking steps to increase biosecurity, fearing a repeat of a widespread bird flu outbreak in 2015 that killed 50 million birds across 15 states and cost the federal government nearly $1 billion. The poultry industry and government officials say they have …

Agencies: Avian flu found in birds at Indiana turkey farm
2 years, 10 months ago

Agencies: Avian flu found in birds at Indiana turkey farm

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — A strain of avian flu that can cause high mortality rates among birds has been confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana, federal and state agencies said Wednesday. State officials have quarantined the farm and its 29,000 turkeys are being euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease, said Denise Derrer Spears, a spokeswoman for the …

Thanksgiving Without Turkey? A Valid Argument For Skipping The Bird.
3 years, 1 month ago

Thanksgiving Without Turkey? A Valid Argument For Skipping The Bird.

Huff Post  

Getty/HuffPost If you’re having turkey at your Thanksgiving, Karen Davis is not the guest you want at your table. But she’ll settle for three big reasons to skip the turkey this Thanksgiving: “Animal cruelty, disease, filth — the toxic waste in the conditions in which the birds are forced to live.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, close to …

Bird flu scare causes loss in poultry businesses across India
3 years, 11 months ago

Bird flu scare causes loss in poultry businesses across India

Hindustan Times  

Avian flu scare has resulted in substantial loss in the poultry business across India as thousands of birds died over the last few months. Besides increasing surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos, poultry farms, proper disposal of carcass, and strengthening of bio-security in poultry farms have to be ensured. "The number of customers has declined due to rumours …

Bird Flu: Safe to eat chicken, egg? Here's what experts say
3 years, 11 months ago

Bird Flu: Safe to eat chicken, egg? Here's what experts say

India TV News  

Contrary to what some people think that the bird flu virus, also known as Avian influenza, is spread to humans via consumption of cooked poultry products, health experts on Sunday stressed that it usually does not infect people as the virus is heat-labile. Although the virus causing bird flu usually does not infect people, but rare cases of human infection …

How to eat meat during a bird flu outbreak
3 years, 11 months ago

How to eat meat during a bird flu outbreak

Live Mint  

“You will die if you see what I am eating right now,” joked Poorna Banerjee when the meat lover was asked if it is ok to eat chicken during a bird flu outbreak two days ago. He says, "I don’t blame people for their apprehension to not eat chicken or duck during a bird flu outbreak. But, fears about consuming …

How to eat meat during a bird flu outbreak
3 years, 11 months ago

How to eat meat during a bird flu outbreak

Live Mint  

“You will die if you see what I am eating right now,” joked Poorna Banerjee when the meat lover was asked if it is ok to eat chicken during a bird flu outbreak two days ago. He says, "I don’t blame people for their apprehension to not eat chicken or duck during a bird flu outbreak. But, fears about consuming …

Bird flu now confirmed in six States
3 years, 11 months ago

Bird flu now confirmed in six States

The Hindu  

Bird flu cases were confirmed in Haryana and Gujarat on Friday, in addition to Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana where the disease has already been confirmed. The Ministry said it is also taking steps to restore consumer confidence in poultry products such as eggs and chicken meat, enlisting the support of the Health Ministry in this regard. Positive samples …

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