LA Times: California Wildlife is Vulnerable to an Avian Flu ‘Apocalypse’ 14 March 2024 LA Times: California Wildlife is Vulnerable to an Avian Flu ‘Apocalypse’ A California Department of Food and Agriculture technician performs a culture swab on a rooster to test for avian influenza. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) The Los Angeles Times eye-opening article “California wildlife is vulnerable to an avian flu ‘apocalypse.’ What is driving the spread?” was published February 25 online and in the Sunday, March 10 print edition. Susanne Rust, the author, describes the alarming situation of a mass mortality event among sea lions, elephant seals, and other sea mammals in South America and along the coast of California due to the H5N1 bird flu. It underscores the potential threats to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. However, similar to previous reports on this subject, it falls to suggest an animal-free vegan diet as a way help stop the avian flu virus and doesn't sufficiently delve into the interconnectedness of environmental conservation and animal agriculture. Read the Article UPC member, Elaine Livesey-Fassel wrote a thoughtful letter to the editor (unpublished): Few of those many concerned scientists and members of the interested public are surprised at the grim news of the devastating effects wrought by the avian flu virus that is responsible for the die-offs not only of countless millions of industrial raised domestic fowl, turkeys, and ducks but also now sea mammals, and fear that the carnage will only spread further. This lethal recurring flu epidemic is once again sickening birds, both domestic and wild, across the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere in the world. We are now made aware in no uncertain terms that the crowding of thousands of sentient domestic creatures together in suffocating, contaminated confinement sheds is so unnatural. Being constantly forcibly exposed to each other will inevitably lead to the spread of such diseases, but governments refuse to act to restrain or stem this profitable industry. These birds have been bred for decades for their meat and eggs without due attention to their health or well-being, and when disease threatens, they are exterminated in horrifically cruel ways, which can only be described as prolonged torture. Again, we are reminded that the habitat destruction of land, along with the pollution of water and air caused by industrial farming, is contributing significantly to planet-warming emissions. This, along with our petroleum-based industries, exacerbates our current climate crisis. Now, other vulnerable creatures are being exposed to these lethal pathogens, and these include sea mammals who are exposed to the virus that is affecting wild breeding seabirds and, in turn, the whole interdependent chain of flora and fauna. As noted, species are now interacting as never before because of these climate changes, and the whole system is collapsing. Certain mammals such as foxes, skunks, coyotes, and even bears are known to have contracted the H5N1 virus. We and other nations await an indication that this lethal virus is novel and will possess the ability to move easily between other mammals, including our own. Surely now is beyond time to seriously consider curtailing or better yet ending this nightmare scenario and to stop producing chickens and other animals for food and choose an already abundant animal-free, plant based diet now. Thank you for this exhaustive and critical investigative report. Elaine Livesey-Fassel, Los Angeles United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl. Don't just switch from beef to chicken. Go Vegan. www.UPC-online.org View this article online United Poultry Concerns | PO Box 150, Machipongo, VA 23405 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!