When mink at a big farm in Galicia, a region in north-western Spain, started to die in October 2022, veterinarians initially thought the culprit might be SARS-CoV-2, which has struck mink farms in several other countries. But lab tests soon revealed something scarier: A deadly avian influenza virus named H5N1. Authorities immediately placed workers on the farm under quarantine restrictions. The more than 50,000 mink at the facility were killed and their carcasses destroyed. www.science.org/content/article/incredibly-concerning-bird-flu-outbreak-spanish-mink-farm-triggers-pandemic-fears? None of the farm workers became infected. But the episode, described in a paper in Eurosurveillance last week, has reignited long-smouldering fears that H5N1 could trigger a human pandemic. The virus is not known to spread well between mammals; people almost always catch it from infected birds, not one another. But now, H5N1 appears to have spread through a densely packed mammalian population and … Read Full Article about Renewed fears of a bird flu pandemic; The latest health stories from around the world
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Renewed fears of a bird flu pandemic; The latest health stories from around the world
When mink at a big farm in Galicia, a region in north-western Spain, started to die in October 2022, veterinarians initially thought the culprit might be SARS-CoV-2, which has struck mink farms in … Read Full Article about Renewed fears of a bird flu pandemic; The latest health stories from around the world

More oversight needed for “gain of function” research says expert panel; The latest health stories from around the world
https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-should-expand-rules-risky-virus-research-more-pathogens-panel-says? United States (US) health officials should expand oversight of federally funded … Read Full Article about More oversight needed for “gain of function” research says expert panel; The latest health stories from around the world

Marion Biotech to be investigated by Indian drug regulator
India’s health minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech’s unit near the national capital Delhi have been stopped following an inspection by India’s apex … Read Full Article about Marion Biotech to be investigated by Indian drug regulator
Sesame to be added to list of major food allergens
Starting January 1, sesame will join the list of major food allergens defined by law, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. The change comes as a result of the Food Allergy Safety, … Read Full Article about Sesame to be added to list of major food allergens