Cow Talks Podcast

Catch up on all the latest Cow Talks episodes!

Our most recent episode features Dr. John Lednicky, a virologist at the University of Florida. Host Dr. Marcelo Wallau and co-host Miranda Imeri discuss the One Health approach and its application in protecting both farmed and wild deer populations. Dr. Lednicky highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, emphasizing that to understand emerging diseases, we must incorporate knowledge of different organisms involved in the transmission process. He details the success of One Health strategies in managing the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to deer in Florida, achieved through rigorous testing and collaboration with farmers. This collaborative research, conducted through the Cervidae Health Research Initiative (CHeRI), has also unearthed a surprising diversity of previously unknown viruses in deer, underscoring the importance of ongoing surveillance – particularly in light of the current H5N1 avian influenza outbreak.  

While acknowledging the potential severity of H5N1, Dr. Lednicky cautions against assuming all strains are equally dangerous to humans and emphasizes the need to separate fact from fiction.  He unpacks the complexities of H5N1 transmission, challenging the notion that stomach acidity provides complete protection and highlighting potential routes beyond respiratory droplets, including ingestion and environmental contamination.  Drawing on his extensive experience, Dr. Lednicky stresses the importance of continued research into transmission dynamics to mitigate the risk of H5N1 spread in both farm and wild animal populations. 

Listen here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43ZZhf5kW85Z92f9NXnLLF?si=YByVg-jgR7GtcsdgEHLlVg