TLDR: Listen Here
The Poultry Science Association’s Unplucked podcast is back with another candid, science-driven conversation — this time diving deep into the policy gaps and urgent action needed to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across species lines.
Host Andy Vance sits down with three members of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) H5 Task Force:
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Dr. Carol Cardona, Pomeroy Chair in Avian Health at the University of Minnesota
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Dr. Michelle Kromm, board-certified poultry veterinarian and founder of Food Forward LLC
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Dr. Kay Russo, practicing veterinarian with RSM Consulting in Colorado
Their mission: to identify and address weaknesses in the way the U.S. manages and coordinates animal health responses — particularly when H5N1 moves beyond poultry into cattle, other livestock, and even humans.
“Influenza is an equal opportunity pathogen… We’re really going to have to break down some of these silos and barriers to prevent this from happening again,” says Dr. Russo.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
1. Disconnects in Response Strategies
The task force identified a stark difference in how H5N1 is handled in poultry versus dairy cattle. Poultry flocks face immediate depopulation when infected, while testing and movement restrictions for cattle have been narrow and delayed — leaving openings for the virus to spread.
2. Cross-Species Risks Are Underestimated
Non-lactating dairy cows, young stock, and other species may still play a role in transmission, but gaps in data and testing make it hard to gauge the real risk. As Dr. Cardona notes, “Biosecurity has to be based on specific pathways — and right now, we don’t know all of them.”
3. One Health Means Everyone at the Table
The guests stressed the importance of coordinated planning between species sectors, government agencies, and industry. Without trust and clear communication across these boundaries, future outbreaks — whether flu, foot-and-mouth disease, or something new — will remain difficult to contain.
4. Protecting Farm Workers Is Critical
The human health angle of H5N1 is often underreported. Farm workers, particularly those in close contact with infected animals, need proper PPE, training, and protocols — not only to safeguard themselves but also to prevent further disease spread.
5. A Call for Real-Time Research
From identifying environmental risk factors to understanding how different animals shed the virus, the task force urged the research community to deploy epidemiology in the moment, not just after an outbreak.
“The best research happens as these things play out, not after the fact,” says Dr. Cardona.
Why It Matters
This episode underscores that HPAI isn’t just a poultry problem — it’s an agricultural, public health, and food security challenge. The lessons learned here could shape how we prepare for the next disease threat, whatever form it takes.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Cardona, Dr. Kromm, and Dr. Russo on Unplucked here.