(The Epoch Times)—Federal food safety inspectors have begun testing ground beef from grocery stores for the presence of bird flu in states where dairy cows have tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A USDA spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is carrying out three separate beef safety studies, including one that involves sampling ground beef from grocery stores in the nine states where dairy cattle have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu.
“Samples are being collected at retail outlets in the states in which dairy cow herds have tested positive for H5N1 influenza virus,” the spokesperson said, adding that the ground beef samples will be analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which can detect whether any viral particles are present.
The second study involves testing beef muscle from dairy cows that were condemned at selected slaughterhouses for the presence of bird flu.
“For the second sampling effort, FSIS is currently collecting muscle samples at FSIS-inspected slaughter facilities of cull dairy cattle that have been condemned for systemic pathologies,” the spokesperson clarified.
The third study is a ground beef cooking study, which involves using a “virus surrogate” in ground beef and cooking it at different temperatures to “determine log-reduction” of the H5N1 virus, the spokesperson said.
Earlier, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that the application of heat in a process known as pasteurization killed the bird flu virus in milk. That came after regulators found that roughly 20 percent of retail milk samples tested positive for bird flu.
So far, no beef cattle have tested positive for the H5N1 virus. Last week, the USDA said it found bird flu in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic dairy cow that was sent to slaughter from an infected herd. The agency said that the animal did not enter the food supply.
The USDA spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the results of the three beef safety studies are forthcoming and would be released to the public. He added that the USDA has a “rigorous” meat inspection process and the agency “is confident that the meat supply is safe.”
“While we have multiple safeguards in place to protect consumers, we recommend consumers properly handle raw meats and cook to a safe internal temperature,” the spokesperson said. “Cooking to a safe internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses in meat.”
Sarah Little, a spokesperson for the Meat Institute, an industry group representing meat processors, told Reuters that the USDA’s additional screening “is appropriate to ensure public health is protected and to stop the spread of animal disease.”
Dairy Cow Testing
The USDA and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have begun requiring lactating dairy cows to test negative for bird flu before being moved across state lines in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.
The federal order, which was first announced on April 24, took effect on April 29.
The agency issued an update to the requirement on April 27, clarifying that testing would not be required for cows that are shipped over state lines directly to slaughter facilities from barns where they are sold. Such cows only need documentation showing they were inspected by a veterinarian.
Positive flu tests will prohibit cows from being moved for 30 days and until they test negative, USDA officials said in a more detailed “requirements and recommendations” document.
Owners of herds containing cows that test positive are encouraged to work with local and state health agencies, including by allowing public health officials to access on-farm activities.
Farm workers who are exposed to bird flu-infected cattle should be monitored daily for signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness.
“While it is still unclear exactly how virus is spreading, the virus is shed in milk at high concentrations; therefore, anything that comes in contact with unpasteurized raw milk, spilled milk, etc. may spread the virus including other animals, vehicles, and other objects or materials,” the USDA cautioned in the guidance document. “Therefore, both dairy and poultry producers should redouble biosecurity efforts and be vigilant about monitoring for and controlling disease in their herds and flocks.”
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To date, Colombia is the only country that has restricted the import of beef and beef products coming from U.S. states where dairy cows have tested positive for bird flu.
The only known human infection in the current outbreak was in a Texas farm worker who suffered conjunctivitis at the end of March following exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“The patient reported conjunctivitis with no other symptoms, was not hospitalized, and is recovering,” the CDC said. “The patient was recommended to isolate and received antiviral treatment with oseltamivir.”
The Texas farm worker is only the second case ever of the H5N1 virus to be detected in humans.
The first case was reported in 2022 in Colorado, in a person who came into contact with poultry presumably infected with the virus.
“The current risk these viruses pose to the public remains low,” the CDC says.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
When you “vaccinate” cows with the bird flu, they are going to contract the bird flu. No-brainer.
Let’s give the cows two weeks to slow the spread…
Who’s vaccinating cows with “bird flu?”
Answer: no one.