WHO Blames Cows for H5N1 Spread to Humans Amid Upcoming Pandemic Agreement Vote

The WHO has officially confirmed the first cow-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic bird flu A(H5N1). This incident, which occurred on a dairy farm in the US, has raised significant concerns and sparked debates about public health measures. The case was quickly identified, with the virus manifesting as eye inflammation rather than a respiratory infection, reducing the risk of further human transmission.

Environmental toxicologist Steve Presley, director of the Biological Threat Research Laboratory at Texas Tech University, highlights the significance of this transmission. The bird flu, initially spreading through poultry and wild animals, has now jumped to mammals and humans. This breakthrough provides critical data for experts to assess public health threats and identify potential new cases.

The timing of this discovery has led to speculation about the WHO's intentions, particularly with the upcoming vote on the WHO Pandemic Agreement. Some worry that this could lead to drastic measures, such as culling cows, pushing for alternative food sources like insects and lab-grown meat.

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