One Health Heroes: April 15, 2025 - Government cuts, Avian Influenza, and Rabies

New infections, emerging risks, and critical funding cuts—how are these shaping the safety of our food, our pets, and our public health? In this episode of One Health Heroes, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti is joined again by Dr. Mandy Sorensen to discuss urgent updates on the avian influenza outbreak, a recent rabies-related transplant case, and concerning budget cuts to federal health agencies. Learn how these changes could impact veterinarians, animal health, and your family's safety—and what you can do to stay informed and protected.

Key Topics:

• Avian Influenza Update: Continued spread among dairy herds, cats, and wild animals; new fatal case in a child in Mexico; latest research confirms pasteurization inactivates the virus.

• Rabies Risk & Prevention: Insights into a rare rabies-related transplant case, the often-overlooked risk of bat exposure, and the life-saving importance of pet vaccination.

• Federal Budget Cuts: How recent staffing cuts at HHS, CDC, and FDA—including the Center for Veterinary Medicine—could affect food safety, drug approval, outbreak surveillance, and pet health.

• Protecting Pets and People: Practical One Health strategies for individuals—biosecurity for backyard flocks, avoiding raw diets, and food safety measures to prevent zoonotic transmission.

Resources & Links:

• 🦠 USDA APHIS Avian Influenza Map (last 30 days)

• 🐾 Animal Medical Center Avian Influenza Webinar

• 🦇 CDC Rabies and Bat Exposure Info

• 🧪 Cornell HPAI Research Resource

• 💉 Mission Rabies

• 📋 AAFSPHV Newsletter and Membership Info

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