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Why dangerous bird flu is spreading faster and farther than first thought in U.S. cattle

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A dangerous type of bird flu virus discovered in the lung of a U.S. dairy cow that didn’t show symptoms. Viral particles identified in processed, pasteurized milk. Genetic sequences showing distinct changes in this H5N1 strain that’s been rapidly spreading throughout American cattle.

Those were just a handful of the rapid-fire developments this week as an unprecedented H5N1 outbreak among U.S. dairy cattle continued to evolve.

Scientists now warn this form of avian influenza is likely more widespread in cows, and was transmitting for longer than official reports suggest. And while American officials are ramping up testing — all in an effort to keep sick cows from being moved between states — others say we’re already several steps behind the spread of a disease that could pose a major threat to human health.

Michael Worobey, a researcher from B.C. who’s now head of the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, said these cattle infections may have been “flying under our radar for months,” providing ongoing opportunities for this virus to acquire adaptations that could lead to a flu pandemic.

“I think, in many ways, this is the biggest news story in the world right now.”

Tracing the root of outbreak

After the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted more than 230 genetic sequences from the country’s growing H5N1 outbreak last Sunday, Worobey was among the scientists racing to analyze the complex set of data.

The sequences were from cattle — amid an outbreak impacting more than two-dozen herds across nine U.S. states — but also several bird species, cats, skunks and raccoons.

It’s possible that local birds passed the virus to local farms, in different states, and they’re all spreading a genetically similar lineage, he said. But Worobey believes what’s far more likely is that the cattle outbreak has a single origin point.

In an interview with CBC News, he outlined H5N1’s evolutionary tree, with a distinct branch of sequences linked to cattle. All those sequences share the same mutations, Worobey added.

“This is the hallmark of a single jump, that’s at the root of this outbreak,” he said.

And that jump likely occurred earlier than the first known cattle infections reported in late March.

Thermometers are seen atop a small-scale pasteurizer. The discovery of viral RNA in milk in the U.S. doesn’t actually mean it can make people sick. (Toby Talbot/The Associated Press)

A single introduction could have happened as far back as November or December, with a distinct lineage of H5N1 then spreading undetected for months, Worobey said. He added missing details in the initial U.S. data dump — including exact cattle locations and dates — made it tough to know for sure.

The cattle sequences also contain “at least two distinct mutations” that are known for increasing the risk of a flu virus infecting and transmitting in humans, Worobey added.

“We just are producing more and more [opportunities] for evolution to arrive at something that can transmit in humans, and potentially kill a large proportion of them,” he said.

Milk discoveries

What’s not yet clear is how, exactly, the virus is spreading among cattle, though several scientists told CBC News that possibilities include close contact between cows being transported between states or contaminated milking equipment.

“If the cattle indeed have [infection] in the udders, then transmission could be through milking equipment,” said Michelle Wille, a senior research fellow with the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Pathogen Genomics and the department of microbiology and immunology.

“A number of infected states have indicated that [avian flu] was detected in dairy herds that recently received cattle from Texas — so transport of cattle is likely playing a role in spread.”

At this point, it’s still unclear how the virus is “sustaining transmission” in cattle populations, added virologist Angela Rasmussen, from the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization.

It’s also likely the virus is being transmitted even when cows aren’t showing symptoms — which have so far been mild, including low appetite and reduced milk production — several scientists agreed.

Bird flu is spreading in cows. Are humans at risk? | About That

 

For the first time ever, avian influenza, or H5N1 bird flu, was detected in roughly a dozen dairy cow herds across the U.S. About That producer Lauren Bird explores why scientists and public health officials are concerned about the cross-species transmission and whether humans are now at higher risk.

This week, officials announced dual discoveries of H5N1 in the lung of an asymptomatic cow in North Carolina, along with viral particles in pasteurized milk, suggesting infected cows almost slipped into the food supply chain.

Ohio State University researchers also said they recently did their own independent sleuthing, collecting 150 commercial milk products from dairy processing plants across 10 states. The team found fragments of viral RNA in close to 60 samples — nearly 40 per cent of the products, all of it available on store shelves.

Rasmussen stressed that the discovery of viral RNA in milk doesn’t necessarily mean it can make people sick if it’s fragments of a virus, not something infectious. Dairy products also go through pasteurization, a heating process meant to eliminate a variety of pathogens.

But in a Thursday update, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said additional testing is still needed “to determine whether intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, which would help inform a determination of whether there is any risk of illness associated with consuming the product.

The FDA added retail milk studies so far have shown no results that would change its assessment that the commercial milk supply in the U.S. is safe.

What’s more concerning, Rasmussen said, is that these developments suggest the cattle outbreak is “much larger than originally thought.”

Like buying lottery tickets

To better understand the scope of H5N1’s spread among cattle, increased testing of dairy cows is now a key facet of the American response.

The U.S. will require dairy cattle moving between states for commerce to be tested for bird flu, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told reporters this week. All labs and states must also report positive tests for any form of influenza.

The concern from both officials and scientists alike stems from the potential impacts on animal health and the food supply chain, and the possibility that this virus is inching closer to a pandemic-level threat to humans as well. While the reported cattle infections haven’t been serious, scientists warn they could fuel adaptations that could make it easier to infect more mammals.

Dr. Samira Mubareka, an infectious disease specialist and virologist, is watching for any signs of the H5N1 virus becoming more adept at transmitting between mammals, including humans. (Kevin van Paassen/Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)

Since 2022, only two human infections have been reported in the U.S., with the latest one tied to these recent cattle outbreaks. Both were mild. But sporadic human cases linked to contact with infected animals in previous outbreaks have been happening around the world, with many causing serious symptoms, severe pneumonia, or even death.

Based on available human case data to date, the death rate of this form of bird flu is thought to be a staggering 52 per cent, though scientists say there are likely far more mild cases going underreported and skewing that data.

Even so, with so many cattle being infected and coming into contact with farm workers every day, the number of human exposures is going up, Worobey warned. “It’s kind of like buying more and more lottery tickets in the lottery of, ‘Can a new pandemic virus actually evolve?'”

Infectious disease physicians in Canada are keeping a close eye on the places where livestock, wildlife and humans intersect.

Doctors and veterinarians say it’s important to find out whether those in close contact with cattle or wildlife are at higher risk from the latest H5N1 virus in the U.S. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Officials at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have not yet responded to a series of questions from CBC News, but said online it has not detected this type of avian influenza in Canadian cattle, so it’s not currently testing raw or pasteurized milk.

“[Highly pathogenic avian influenza] is not a food safety concern as pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses,” the agency said on X, formerly Twitter.

Dr. Samira Mubareka, a clinician scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Toronto, is watching for any signs of the virus becoming more adept at transmitting between mammals, including humans.

“From the virus’s perspective, the more transmission there is, the more opportunities to adapt,” Mubareka said. “That is concerning.”

Mubareka said any enhanced change in transmission among mammals would also signal an enhanced ability to transmit among humans, which is why it’s so important to find out whether those in close contact with cattle or wildlife are at higher risk.

She said even if this H5N1 virus doesn’t infect more people, the virus has already hit animal health significantly and could affect food prices, food security and livelihoods.

Rasmussen agreed, and said the impacts could be grim if human-to-human transmission begins.

“It would have a devastating impact on human and animal health, on the economy, on the food supply,” she said. “It would be a worst case scenario.”

 

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What’s the greatest holiday gift: lips, hair, skin? Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

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Give the gift of great skin this holiday season

Skinstitut Holiday Gift Kits take the stress out of gifting

Toronto, October 31, 2024 – Beauty gifts are at the top of holiday wish lists this year, and Laser Clinics Canada, a leader in advanced beauty treatments and skincare, is taking the pressure out of seasonal shopping. Today, Laser Clincs Canada announces the arrival of its 2024 Holiday Gift Kits, courtesy of Skinstitut, the exclusive skincare line of Laser Clinics Group.

In time for the busy shopping season, the limited-edition Holiday Gifts Kits are available in Laser Clinics locations in the GTA and Ottawa. Clinics are conveniently located in popular shopping centers, including Hillcrest Mall, Square One, CF Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, Rideau Centre, Union Station and CF Markville. These limited-edition Kits are available on a first come, first served basis.

“These kits combine our best-selling products, bundled to address the most relevant skin concerns we’re seeing among our clients,” says Christina Ho, Senior Brand & LAM Manager at Laser Clinics Canada. “With several price points available, the kits offer excellent value and suit a variety of gift-giving needs, from those new to cosmeceuticals to those looking to level up their skincare routine. What’s more, these kits are priced with a savings of up to 33 per cent so gift givers can save during the holiday season.

There are two kits to select from, each designed to address key skin concerns and each with a unique theme — Brightening Basics and Hydration Heroes.

Brightening Basics is a mix of everyday essentials for glowing skin for all skin types. The bundle comes in a sleek pink, reusable case and includes three full-sized products: 200ml gentle cleanser, 50ml Moisture Defence (normal skin) and 30ml1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum. The Brightening Basics kit is available at $129, a saving of 33 per cent.

Hydration Heroes is a mix of hydration essentials and active heroes that cater to a wide variety of clients. A perfect stocking stuffer, this bundle includes four deluxe products: Moisture 15 15 ml Defence for normal skin, 10 ml 1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum, 10 ml Retinol Serum and 50 ml Expert Squalane Cleansing Oil. The kit retails at $59.

In addition to the 2024 Holiday Gifts Kits, gift givers can easily add a Laser Clinic Canada gift card to the mix. Offering flexibility, recipients can choose from a wide range of treatments offered by Laser Clinics Canada, or they can expand their collection of exclusive Skinstitut products.

 

Brightening Basics 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut, available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

Hydration Heroes 2024 Holiday Gift Kit by Skinstitut – available exclusively at Laser Clincs Canada clinics and online at skinstitut.ca.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Pediatric group says doctors should regularly screen kids for reading difficulties

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The Canadian Paediatric Society says doctors should regularly screen children for reading difficulties and dyslexia, calling low literacy a “serious public health concern” that can increase the risk of other problems including anxiety, low self-esteem and behavioural issues, with lifelong consequences.

New guidance issued Wednesday says family doctors, nurses, pediatricians and other medical professionals who care for school-aged kids are in a unique position to help struggling readers access educational and specialty supports, noting that identifying problems early couldhelp kids sooner — when it’s more effective — as well as reveal other possible learning or developmental issues.

The 10 recommendations include regular screening for kids aged four to seven, especially if they belong to groups at higher risk of low literacy, including newcomers to Canada, racialized Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. The society says this can be done in a two-to-three-minute office-based assessment.

Other tips encourage doctors to look for conditions often seen among poor readers such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; to advocate for early literacy training for pediatric and family medicine residents; to liaise with schools on behalf of families seeking help; and to push provincial and territorial education ministries to integrate evidence-based phonics instruction into curriculums, starting in kindergarten.

Dr. Scott McLeod, one of the authors and chair of the society’s mental health and developmental disabilities committee, said a key goal is to catch kids who may be falling through the cracks and to better connect families to resources, including quicker targeted help from schools.

“Collaboration in this area is so key because we need to move away from the silos of: everything educational must exist within the educational portfolio,” McLeod said in an interview from Calgary, where he is a developmental pediatrician at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“Reading, yes, it’s education, but it’s also health because we know that literacy impacts health. So I think that a statement like this opens the window to say: Yes, parents can come to their health-care provider to get advice, get recommendations, hopefully start a collaboration with school teachers.”

McLeod noted that pediatricians already look for signs of low literacy in young children by way of a commonly used tool known as the Rourke Baby Record, which offers a checklist of key topics, such as nutrition and developmental benchmarks, to cover in a well-child appointment.

But he said questions about reading could be “a standing item” in checkups and he hoped the society’s statement to medical professionals who care for children “enhances their confidence in being a strong advocate for the child” while spurring partnerships with others involved in a child’s life such as teachers and psychologists.

The guidance said pediatricians also play a key role in detecting and monitoring conditions that often coexist with difficulty reading such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but McLeod noted that getting such specific diagnoses typically involves a referral to a specialist, during which time a child continues to struggle.

He also acknowledged that some schools can be slow to act without a specific diagnosis from a specialist, and even then a child may end up on a wait list for school interventions.

“Evidence-based reading instruction shouldn’t have to wait for some of that access to specialized assessments to occur,” he said.

“My hope is that (by) having an existing statement or document written by the Canadian Paediatric Society … we’re able to skip a few steps or have some of the early interventions present,” he said.

McLeod added that obtaining specific assessments from medical specialists is “definitely beneficial and advantageous” to know where a child is at, “but having that sort of clear, thorough assessment shouldn’t be a barrier to intervention starting.”

McLeod said the society was partly spurred to act by 2022’s “Right to Read Inquiry Report” from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which made 157 recommendations to address inequities related to reading instruction in that province.

He called the new guidelines “a big reminder” to pediatric providers, family doctors, school teachers and psychologists of the importance of literacy.

“Early identification of reading difficulty can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.

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