One Health Heroes - April 1, 2025 - Avian Influenza: Impacts on Pets and Food Systems

Deadly diseases, food safety risks, and zoonotic threats—how do they impact you and your pets? In this debut episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined by Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communications specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, to discuss pressing public health concerns. Learn about the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, its devastating impact on poultry, dairy herds, and even pets. Get expert insights on how to protect your animals, understand the role of veterinarians in disease surveillance, and avoid common misconceptions.

Key Topics:

• The deadly scope of the avian influenza outbreak and its ripple effect on food supply, farmers, and pet owners

• Why raw milk and raw food diets put pets at risk

• The importance of disease surveillance and early reporting to prevent zoonotic threats

• How veterinarians contribute to One Health and public safety

• What pet owners can do to protect their families and animals

Resources & Links:

• Cornell's Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center

• USDA & CDC Avian Influenza Surveillance Maps

• AAVSPHV Newsletter & Membership Information

• Ohio State University's Indoor Cat Initiative