MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE COMMISSIONER OF FOOD AND DRUGS

“The psychological bond between humans and animals and the psychological effect of spending time outdoors and in contact with nature appears to have important health consequences. Research has indicated that pet ownership can be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health problems. Contact with nature such as walking in a park or hiking in the wilderness also appears to have positive health effects.

The strength of the human-animal bond can be seen in people who refuse to leave pets behind when being evacuated during a natural disaster and in people facing homelessness who decide to keep their pets with them at all times.

Better understanding of the human-animal bond can help facilitate efforts to improve the health of people and animals.  …”

“… Poultry not likely the cause

The family lived in an urban environment and had a pet dog. A family member had bought raw poultry at a live-bird market more than 2 weeks before the child’s symptoms began. It was cooked and eaten the same day. Investigators wrote that poultry wasn’t the likely source, given that poultry-market testing was negative, the child wasn’t exposed to raw poultry, and the parents weren’t sick. The investigators said the child spent time outdoors at school and may have had environmental exposure to the virus.

The researchers said continued surveillance and real-time subtyping at public health labs is a key part of novel flu surveillance and that detection of B3.13 serves as a reminder that the virus continues to transmit across susceptible species, requiring a strong One Health approach.  …”

28 Aug 2025  by Derek Lowe, PhD

Opinion

Guest Essay    Sept. 1, 2025

Advancing Health Care in Humans, Animals and the Environment

From the grassroots to those most powerful in American politics, scientific findings are losing traction in shaping attitudes and policies in the United States

A momentous, milestone presentation at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention by *Lonnie J. King, DVM, MS, MPA, Diplomate ACVPMs

Susan Monarez was said to have refused to adopt Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance on vaccination policy. A lawyer for Dr. Monarez said the firing was “legally deficient.”

Volume 12, No. 6, Released August 27, 2025