One cannot simply assume that if the mink were exposed to the Flu A
Virus via aerosol, stray wild animal contact, bird droppings or other
vectors that the humans would be infected too and should exhibit signs
of infection. Since Flu A Virus IS a worldwide common virus, its very
likely the humans already have developed immunity - either naturally,
or through simple flu vaccinations.The humans aren't under the same
stresses as the overcrowded, unsanitary kept, distressed mink.Since the
mink are only raised to the point of producing a pelt - their highly
stressed short lives don't allow full immune system development.

Nothing in that abstract indicated the condition of the animals that
died.- Were they underweight? All very young? Over bred females?
Lactating females? What about internal parasite loads? Also nothing
indicated the conditions of the facility, the typical overcrowding,
unsanitary cages, how about the bacteria load of their food? Obviously
there was E.Coli present.

The abstract did identify the virus and the E. Coli, and commented that
it was likely the E. Coli that was the cause of the pneumonia which
killed the animals. The abstract also mentioned that the animals were
suffering with persistent severe respiratory distress. So were these
affected animals removed from the general population, isolated and
offered any palliative or supportive care? Affected animals were
bleeding from the nose and mouth - how would this have contaminated
other animals? Just how long was the "persistent severe respiratory
distress"?

Notice they said the Flu A Virus was from a SWINE strain - so was the
turkey mixed with pork? Is there a hog farm near by? The abstract
doesn't even mention in what form the turkey was fed; was it whole raw
pieces or the more typical ground then slopped on top of the cages.
Uneaten portions left to rot. Were the cages bedded with straw? What
was the source of the straw? Was the straw moldy? Had birds pooped on
it before being put in the cages?

Unless they tested the raw turkey - there is nothing in that abstract
that indicates with ANY certainty that the raw turkey was definitely
the source of the Flu A Virus. Apparently the 10 animals dieing per
day out of 15,000 wasn't considered enough of an impact or detrimental
enough to investigate the actual source. The abstract as presented
simply speculates, supposes and then jumps to conclusions which, when
read by SOME people, gets interpreted to mean that feeding raw meat
will give ferrets the flu! THAT's why it fails.

Cheers,
Kim

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[Posted in FML 7361]