Category: Animal Health
As bird flu spreads, feds might undercut states by firing scientists, removing data
As bird flu cases inundate more poultry and dairy farms, state officials worry that the Trump administration’s firings of federal scientists and other actions will undermine efforts to track the virus and protect Americans.
Smart is sexy – new study on fish doing puzzles hints intelligence partly evolved via sexual selection
A better brain might help an animal find more mates, have more sex, and eventually have more babies.
House Cats With Bird Flu Could Pose a Risk to Public Health
More than 80 domestic cats, among many other types of mammals, have been confirmed to have had bird flu since 2022 — generally barn cats that lived on dairy farms, as well as feral cats and pets that spend time outdoors and likely caught it by hunting diseased rodents or wild birds.
Study analyzes bird flu that infected a farm worker
An H5N1 flu virus from an infected farm worker could transmit through airborne droplets and was lethal in mice and ferrets.
The findings emphasize the risks from the current H5N1 outbreak and the need for continued monitoring and testing.
Are cats good for our health?
Living with a cat can have a profound – and sometimes surprising – effect on our physical and mental health. Still, living with cats is not without risks.
Arizona’s now-repealed abortion ban serves as a cautionary tale for reproductive health care across the US
Medical students are less inclined to enter the specialty and more likely to avoid training positions, employment or both in states with restrictive or near-total bans. These states also have difficulty retaining existing OB-GYNs.
Unconscious biases continue to hold back women in medicine, but research shows how to fight them and get closer to true equity and inclusion
Implicit bias is any unconscious negative attitude a person holds against a specific social group. These unconscious biases can affect judgment, decision making and behavior. Implicit bias is often one of the underlying issues that leads to discriminatory practices or harassment that diversity, equity and inclusion policies are meant to address.
As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what’s the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered
An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S. the virus has led to the destruction of millions of commercially raised chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and has killed thousands of wild birds. Many virologists are concerned that this virus could spill over to humans and cause a new human pandemic.
States Strive to Reverse Shortage of Paramedics, EMTs
To stave off longer 911 call wait times and the closure of ambulance services, many states are rethinking how they recruit and retain both paid and volunteer EMS workers. Nearly 40 state legislatures and Washington, D.C., considered bills in 2022 related to various aspects of emergency medical services, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
UW study to screen pets of Seattle-area people diagnosed with monkeypox
A new study is inviting pet owners in the greater Seattle area who test positive for monkeypox to have their animals screened for the virus.
Doctors Trained Abroad Want to See You Now
A handful of states are easing certain licensing requirements, creating programs for foreign-trained doctors to work alongside U.S.-trained ones, reserving residency spots for immigrant health workers and providing help, sometimes including financial aid, for those working to get a U.S. license. States hope the efforts can not only get medical providers to more places where they are needed—particularly underserved rural and urban areas—but also lead to more professionals who speak the same language as and are culturally attuned to those they treat in an ever more diverse America.
Telehealth’s Limits: Battle Over State Lines and Licensing Threatens Patients’ Options
If you live in one state, does it matter that the doctor treating you online is in another? Surprisingly, the answer is yes, and the ability to conduct certain virtual appointments may be nearing an end.
Dog Aging Project seeks more canine participants
Project is looking for puppies, big and giant dogs, rural dogs, certain breeds, and working dogs.
Paw hygiene is no reason to ban assistance dogs from hospitals – they’re cleaner than people’s shoes
The paws of assistance dogs are cleaner than the shoe soles of their users.
Telemedicine or In-Person Visit? Pros and Cons
In general, telemedicine is effective in cases that would typically send you to an urgent care clinic, such as minor injuries or flu-like symptoms.