One Health Heroes, October 15, 2025: Avian Influenza Surges, Screwworm Nears the Border, and New Vaccine Policy Concerns

In this critical update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communications specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (AAFSPHV) discuss three rapidly evolving One Health concerns: A massive surge of H5N1 avian influenza, now affecting more than 6 million birds in the past month, with potential impacts on food security, wildlife biodiversity, and companion animals. The continued northward movement of New World Screwworm, now just 70 miles from the U.S. border — with both livestock and human cases reported in Mexico. New treatments and prevention may be available and farmers should talk with their veterinarians.  The new CDC "shared decision-making" vaccine policy, which could unintentionally limit access to COVID and other immunizations. The episode also highlights new findings on H5N1 survival in raw milk cheese, recent feline cases linked to raw pet food, and innovative One Health approaches to rescue rehabilitation, including the touching "Paws for Life" prison dog training program. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.   By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,   2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,   3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and   4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.   Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow