Summary

The USDA confirmed H5N1 bird flu in rats for the first time, detecting the virus in four black rats in California near recent poultry outbreaks.

Other infected mammals include a harbor seal, a fox, a bobcat, and a cat likely exposed through contaminated raw pet food.

The discovery comes as the USDA scrambles to rehire bird flu experts recently fired under cost-cutting measures.

Since 2022, the virus has led to mass poultry culls, rising egg prices, infections in dairy cows, and nearly 70 human cases, including one fatality.

  • 😈MedicPig🐷BabySaver😈
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    516 hours ago

    Man, the gamers really are piling on with this game of “Global Simulation”.

    Anyone know where the ESC button is?

  • @regrub
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    261 day ago

    Looking forward to Black Plague 2.0

    • @TriPolarBearz
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      171 day ago

      With the current administration and culture, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear to term DEI Plague at some point.

      • @disguy_ovahea
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        101 day ago

        Yeah, it’ll just be blamed on immigrants instead of Jews.

        • LostXOR
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          41 day ago

          Those darn Mexicans are carrying rats over the border! They must be stopped!!!11!!1

  • @[email protected]
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    141 day ago

    The latest bird flu discoveries come as the USDA is trying to rehire bird flu experts that the agency recently fired as part of cost-cutting based on recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

    Yeah, well we aren’t exactly sending our best and brightest. Perhaps we’ll get lucky. Or perhaps one of these morons will accidentally infect themselves before an all hands meeting with the new government.

  • SkaveRat
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    51 day ago

    Clan Pestilens prepare-readying for vermintide, yes-yes