I read this article the other day. This is what makes flu viruses so dangerous, especially this one. Antigenic Shifting allows the virus to come into contact with other flu variants form differing species and gives it the ability to genetical change. Not good for anyone. Especially scary since OIE who monitors CAFO's do not consider swine influenzas reportable because it views them as routine infections in animal agriculture. Plus the fact the CAFO's antibiotic use is roughly eight-fold that of human clinical use. Consequently, they are a major source of antibiotic resistant plagues like MRSA. Talk with a farmhand who works for Smithfield, one of the comglomerate CAFO's and ask if he or his family now have MRSA; bet the answer is yes!
Execellent post! |