BY 

KITTY BLOCK

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This week, we released footage from the most recent undercover investigation of five fur farms, this time in northern China, the source of most of the world’s fur. What we see is what we’ve come to expect with fur farm investigations: foxes, raccoon dogs and mink pacing their cages frantically, a repetitive behavior associated with mental decline, and filthy, feces-encrusted cages packed so close together that the risk of zoonotic disease spread was nearly palpable. 

Investigators visited five fur farms in December 2023 in the regions of Hebei and Liaoning. Each farm kept between 2,000 and 4,000 fur-bearing animals in small cages so cramped and crammed together that in some cases the mink or raccoon dogs could touch one another through the wire walls, meaning that diseases can spread very easily. The animals were kept in close proximity to poultry, yet, despite the many hundreds of COVID-19 and avian influenza cases confirmed on fur farms globally since 2020, the fur farmers told the investigators that they don’t routinely sterilize the premises because of the expense.  

https://www.humanesociety.org/media/oembed?url=https%3A//twitter.com/HSIGlobal/status/1780213681902465212&max_width=0&max_height=0&hash=VxXC4AbaYUWqHy4fpjtoIZs45bBoV2NK6mQ3o2KKRu8

Once we add animal suffering and public health risks to the immense environmental impacts of fur farming, the whole industry seems nothing less than the height of absurdity. Mink, fox and raccoon dog fur farming and production greatly exceed the environmental impacts of producing other materials used in fashion, according to a study by carbon footprint experts at Foodsteps, commissioned by Humane Society International and reviewed by sustainability expert Dr Isaac Emery. 

Fur farm in Dandong in southeastern Liaoning province, China.

A substantial component of fur’s carbon footprint is the vast quantity of animal products fed to animals on fur farms. On several farms, investigators saw large quantities of frozen fish, chicken meat, eggs and milk powder that are ground up into paste to feed to animals. In addition to contributing to fur farming’s carbon footprint, feeding raw chicken meat to animals on fur farms has been identified by EU experts as a biosecurity risk. As Alastair MacMillan, a veterinary microbiologist who viewed the investigative footage observed, “Cases of avian influenza have already been documented on European fur farms and such close proximity between species significantly heightens the risk of avian-to-mammal transmission. The high stocking density of raccoon dogs could also facilitate virus adaptation to mammalian hosts and the selection of virus strains capable of transmitting between mammals.” 

As MacMillan also noted, “The sale of raccoon dog carcasses and cooked meat for human consumption also raises concerns about the potential for zoonotic disease transmission.” At one local restaurant, operators confirmed that they cook 42 raccoon dogs a day to sell to local customers. 

Fur pelt acquirer in China, 2023.

There is some good news. In 2023 China produced 10 million fox, mink and raccoon dog fur pelts. Even though 10 million animals killed for fashion is a staggering number, this was a sharp decrease from the 22 million pelts produced in 2022, and an 88% drop from a decade ago, consistent with an overall decrease in global fur production. A large number of small- and medium-sized fur farms previously active in the area have closed due to poor sales. 

Last week, I responded to claims that fur is making a worldwide comeback with a letter in the Washington Post. In it I wrote, “An industry founded on death is itself dying out.”

It really should, and for that to occur, we need action across the globe, as HSI’s China policy expert Peter Li said after seeing the footage. “Although this investigation took place in China, the animal suffering inherent in the fur trade can also be seen on fur farms across Europe and North America. China exports fur to countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and across Europe, making those nations complicit in this cruelty. The end of this cruel, environmentally damaging and dangerous industry cannot come soon enough.”  

In the face of the incredible suffering, danger to public health and the waste of animal life seen on these fur farms, we are calling, once again, for a global end to the fur trade. Please join us and sign our U.S. pledge or our global pledge to stop deadly fur. 

Follow Kitty Block @HSUSKittyBlock.   

Going Fur-Free

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• PUBLISHED Apr 16, 2024

Washington Post

Since early 2022, a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu, H5N1, has been infecting wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry in the United States. More than 85 million birds in 48 states have died as a result of the virus or have been culled after exposure to infected birds.

This same strain has now spread to cows. Health officials have detected H5N1 in cattle across 16 herds in six states. And earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a case of bird flu in a dairy worker in Texas who likely contracted the virus from cattle.

This is an alarming situation that must be monitored closely. Livestock workers and owners of backyard flocks need to take extra precautions, and clinicians should be on the lookout for new human cases. Most Americans, though, should not be concerned about the risk of avian flu to them at this time. Avian influenza is not new. The first description of it dates from the late 1800s. Like human flu viruses, there are multiple strains of bird flu. Some strains cause mild or no symptoms. Others are associated with mortality rates as high as 90 to 100 percent in domesticated bird species.

Many bird flu viruses originate in wild aquatic fowl and are then passed on to chickens, turkeys and other domestic birds. While most transmission occurs among birds, some viral strains can cross over to infect mammals. The H5N1 strain has already been detected in more than 200 mammals in the United States.

That includes humans. In addition to the Texas dairy worker, an individual in Colorado working with poultry was diagnosed with H5N1 in 2022. The dairy worker’s only symptom was eye inflammation, and the poultry worker experienced fatigue. But prior cases from elsewhere in the world have resulted in pneumonia, multiple organ failure and death.

Continue reading https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2024/04/16/why-the-spread-of-bird-flu-to-a-texas-dairy-worker-is-so-alarming/

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The CDC recently confirmed a human case of HPAI A (H5N1) in Texas. Renowned epidemiologist Syra Madad and distinguished virologist Jason Kindrachuk offer tips to farmers, animal caretakers, and the general public on how to avoid contracting and spreading this strain of avian influenza.

Published April 16, 2024

By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP and Jason Kindrachuk, PhD

Avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, is a viral infection that affects both domestic and wild birds, along with a wide array of other animals. First identified in 1996, H5N1 has recently re-emerged in a significant panzootic form, specifically clade 2.3.4.4.b, impacting a broad spectrum of wildlife and domestic animals, including more than 200 mammal species.

Concerningly, this has included confirmed infections among numerous species not previously known to be susceptible to H5N1, including marine mammals, as well as in agricultural mammalian species such as cattle and goats. The rapid geographic expansion to all continents except Australia is also concerning. This notable spread across species is particularly alarming due to the potential for severe illness and death in humans as well as economic and food security impacts. This includes both within the agriculture industry as well as among communities reliant on wild game as a food source.

Confirmed Case in Texas

In March, the CDC confirmed a human case of HPAI A(H5N1) in Texas, related to contact with infected dairy cattle, marking the first recorded instance of probable mammal-to-human transmission in the U.S., and the second human case since 2022. Although human infections are rare and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported in the U.S., this event underlines the real risk H5N1 poses to individuals in close proximity to infected animals or contaminated environments.

Of note, a single mutation previously found to be associated with adaptation to mammalian hosts was identified within the viral genome sequence isolated from the recent U.S. case (PB2 E627K). However, while this demonstrates the need for continued surveillance and analysis of H5N1 genome sequences, there is no current evidence suggestive of altered human-to-human transmission for the virus or increased antiviral resistance. The CDC currently deems the risk to the broader U.S. populace as low; nevertheless, people with unprotected, extended exposure to infected birds or animals, or to contaminated areas, are at an elevated risk of contracting the virus.

The table below outlines recommended preventive measures for both the general public and those at heightened risk due to their work or recreational activities, aiming to reduce the likelihood of H5N1 infection.

Default Mono Sans Mono Serif Sans Serif Comic Fancy Small CapsDefault X-Small Small Medium Large X-Large XX-LargeDefault Outline Dark Outline Light Outline Dark Bold Outline Light Bold Shadow Dark Shadow Light Shadow Dark Bold Shadow Light BoldDefault Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Default Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%A $1,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest Source: WOWT

By 6 News staff reports and Akim Powell

Published: Apr. 15, 2024 at 4:52 PM PDT|Updated: 19 hours ago

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT/Gray News) – A missing dog in Nebraska was found wrapped in duct-tape and abandoned inside a dumpster.

Animal Control officers were called to Sweet and Associates after employees found a small dog, identified as Leo, in their dumpster with his head wrapped in duct tape.

He reportedly also had his front and back legs taped together, WOWT reported.

Leo was quickly rushed to the Nebraska Humane Society where they removed the tape. After the tape was removed, he perked up and started wagging his tail, according to a social media post.

Shortly after, Leo’s owner was located through the microchip ID.

WOWT reported that she reported Leo missing on Thursday, believing that he got out while getting her child ready for school.

As of now, there are no cameras in the area where Leo was put in the dumpster.

Authorities are investigating this incident and offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Those responsible could face a misdemeanor charge, which can incur a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.