[DoodahMan]

Indeed. I'm particularly getting concerned about co-infection leading to genes being swapped - short-circuiting the evolution needed to adapt to humans. The CDC reported this year's flu season is at the highest levels since 2009 [0]. A CDC study released in November showed ~7% of dairy workers who participated had evidence of recent H5N1 infection. Now we find out that the D1.1 variant that killed a person in Louisiana and sent a teenager in Canada into a coma is in cows [2]. That variant has the PB2 D701N mutation that's associated with mammalian adaptation.

I've been following this thing since February 2023, and it for sure feels like it's getting closer. I see you too are paying attention - cheers.

[0] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flu-levels-highest-since-2009-p...

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7344a3.htm

[2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/health/bird-flu-cattle-nevada...

[klipt]

America just appointed an anti-vaccer as Health Secretary.

I don't think the next virus breakout is going to go well.

[egberts1]

CBSNEws: only a handful of human cases have been confirmed from bird flu in the U.S

Two is hot a handful.

[linotype]

I’m not sure if you can place human cases in a hand, so technically you are correct.