Let them eat Viruses

The American public has a few classic dietary staples, and none are more decidedly American than rare steak, barbecue, and apple pie with milk. Lately, we have been getting more than we paid for. Traces of H5N1 bird flu are present in cattle products, casting light on pasteurization processes and the raw milk industry. Also, some farm workers that handle cattle and milk have come down with H5N1, along with barn cats that have likely drunk infected milk.

Assuringly, states and the federal government have moved to contain the threat of viruses and a new pandemic by banning masks and ensuring the sale of raw milk. Such measures will contain the virus in the population rather than allow it to disappear. If only we contained the threat of BSE in the same manner by putting downer cows in bonemeal. (Maybe I should stop writing lest they get ideas.)

There is an interesting parallel to this event and BSE as both pathogens are cattle-borne. An interesting remnant to the BSE scare in England is that 1 in 2000 tonsils from the UK have the prions that cause vCJD. During the crisis, some people demonstrated stubborn resolve and protested by doubling down on beef-eating. Similarly, some Americans have begun to drink raw milk.

I can’t tell if it’s a race to the bottom with standards, or that we like feasting on viruses and swimming in sewage to prove our own vigour. It seems we cut corners on safety in order to make nutrition more affordable. If it ends up sparking another pandemic, however, we will all bear the cost. I guess that’s what is meant by privatizing gains and nationalizing losses.

In my opinion, bird flu is now endemic in cattle. Meaning, there are even more opportunities for it to cross into humans. Furthermore, the virus is poorly adapted to human receptors, and can refine. It may refine to facilitate human to human spread and see its lethality rise as a consequence of better adaptation. Unfortunately, because of what we are willing to accept as far as the risk of viruses goes, it is quite possible that there will be a human H5N1 pandemic. I recommend, as I have always done, preparation. This entails a stock of N95, a plan with family and friends, and a safe harbour.

Godspeed,

AJ