As the unprecedented outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza continues in North America, there are numerous concerns about where the outbreak is heading and threats to other species, including domestic and wild mammals, and people (the latter being just another “domestic mammal”). My inbox is filled with questions about different concerns and scenarios. The one I’ll
poultry
COVID-19 in Animals Review Part 8: Birds
This one’s easy. Birds are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Stop reading here if that’s all you want to know. If you’d like a little more detail read on…
The SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in mammals (most likely in bats, which will be the topic of the next review) and has spread to other mammals (especially people,…
Fostering Chicks and Ducklings: It’s All Fun and Games Until…
We all know that backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular – despite some of their associated infectious disease hazards, which we’ve discussed many times before. The latest “pandemic pastime” takes the trend to a whole new level, with scores of people fostering chicks or ducklings as a family activity, aka something…
Another SARS-CoV-2 experimental study
Another experimental study of the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in several animal species has provided information largely corroborating results of a similar study of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity released last week. Eventually it becomes unnecessary to duplicate studies like this, but at the start of something new like this, repeated study and…
SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets, cats and dogs: A new experimental study
Hot on the heels of the experimental study of SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets that I discussed a couple days ago is another new study, available in pre-print, that looked at susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in a slightly wider range of animals, including ferrets, cats, dogs, pigs and poultry (Shi et al. 2020). Bear in…
Backyard chicken survey
Calling all backyard poultry owners:
You are invited to participate in a survey regarding backyard chickens that is being conducted by Dr. Scott Weese, a Professor in the Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and Public Health Ontario’s Infection Prevention and Control Team (Central-West). We are interested in hearing from people…
Infections from backyard poultry
Hardly a week goes by that I don’t get a question (or a dozen) about backyard poultry. As more cities consider or enact laws allowing urban poultry, the debates about and around this issue increase. It’s also becoming a big business, with ample options for people to buy chicken coops (or high end chicken condos),…