Dr. Alex Travis–director of Cornell Public Health and chair of the Department of Public & Ecosystem Health in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine—explains exactly what his extended job title involves, noting that he brings being both a veterinarian and PhD scientist to discharging his duties.
Joining me on “Talking Animals” to discuss bird flu and the Avian Flu Resource Center–an
online portal Cornell recently launched, designed to provide timely and accurate information about bird flu, amidst ongoing rumors and misinformation—Travis describes the current strain, and why it’s become so nefarious. As part of that description, he outlines how the current flu–also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI—is transmitted, and how it’s so deadly, and contagious, that huge flocks of poultry have had to be euthanized. Meaning that, since the current strain reached the U.S. in 2022, some 150 million birds have been destroyed. Travis mentions that this iteration of bird flu has crossed species to some mammals, including domestic cats—particularly farm cats who have ready access to infected birds and raw milk. Some of those exposed cats have become so sick that they died, Travis says. Thus far, this flu does not appear to infect dogs. 
Asked about the genesis of the Avian Flu Resource Center—including who first proposed
the concept, how the notion took hold and evolved—Travis sheepishly responded that “unfortunately,” the idea was primarily his. When I inquired why “unfortunately,” Travis explained that creating the Avian Flu Resource Center was an enormous undertaking, as is regularly updating it to reflect new outbreaks and other relevant recent developments. But it seemed like the right thing for them to do, as a noted Public Health entity. There was a segment of the conversation devoted to the topic of the moment—eggs—with a heightened emphasis from both Travis and a recent New York Times piece on the importance of thoroughly cooking any eggs to be consumed, especially against the backdrop of this current bird flu episode.
ALSO: I spoke with I spoke with Kathleen Carroll Mason, who will be teaching “Guided by Animal Angels: 3 Steps to Find Peace After Animal Loss,” an online course–with no registration fee—that she is offering on March 12. Most of us have lost an animal—or, sadly, will lose one—and this session is designed to help attendees better understand, and cope with, that kind of Loss. Mason touches on why she believes animal Loss is different from other types, and provides a bit of a sneak preview of the course, suggesting what the titular “3 Steps” allude to. She also explains how to register for the class: Visit https://clearlyblissful.com/ and click on the banner for “Guided by Animal Angels.”
COMEDY CORNER: Dusty Slay’s “Trailer Park Pets” (https://www.dustyslay.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Brad Mehldau Trio’s version of The Beatles’ “Blackbird”
AUDIO ARCHIVE:
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