Angie Rasmussen
@angierasmussen.bsky.social
Virologist. PI working at but not speaking for USask. Co-EiC of Vaccine. 🇺🇸 in 🇨🇦. Emerging viruses, pathogenesis, zoonosis, host responses, dogs, football, off-color language, transcriptomic chaos. Opinions my own.
I stopped by The Incubator to have a little chat with my PhD mentor @microbetv.bsky.social about H5N1 bird flu.
I guess I’m all grown up as a virologist now that my teacher is asking me questions, but as Prof. Racaniello taught me, you should never stop learning ❤️🦠
I guess I’m all grown up as a virologist now that my teacher is asking me questions, but as Prof. Racaniello taught me, you should never stop learning ❤️🦠
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I stopped by The Incubator to have a little chat with my PhD mentor @microbetv.bsky.social about H5N1 bird flu.
I guess I’m all grown up as a virologist now that my teacher is asking me questions, but as Prof. Racaniello taught me, you should never stop learning ❤️🦠
I guess I’m all grown up as a virologist now that my teacher is asking me questions, but as Prof. Racaniello taught me, you should never stop learning ❤️🦠
I am so grateful for colleagues & friends, who keep fighting despite losing almost everything for nothing of substance. Thank you @peterdaszak.bsky.social & David Morens for your courage. Thank you @microbetv.bsky.social for training me & your tireless evidence-based advocacy for our profession. ❤️
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I am so grateful for colleagues & friends, who keep fighting despite losing almost everything for nothing of substance. Thank you @peterdaszak.bsky.social & David Morens for your courage. Thank you @microbetv.bsky.social for training me & your tireless evidence-based advocacy for our profession. ❤️
I read The Double Helix as an undergraduate. I was a science major at a women’s college taking molecular biology. Our professor taught us that Watson & Crick screwed Rosalind Franklin over.
So I read the book to learn more. I’ll never forget how reading this passage made me feel.
So I read the book to learn more. I’ll never forget how reading this passage made me feel.
![“By choice [Rosalind Franklin] did not emphasize her feminine qualities.. There was never lipstick to contrast with her straight black her, while at the age of thirty-one her dresses showed all the imagination of English blue-stocking adolescents. So it was quite easy to imagine her the product of an unsatisfied mother who unduly stressed the desirability of professional careers that could save bright girls from marriages to dull men.. Clearly Rosy had to go or be put in her place. The former was obviously preferable because given her belligerent moods, it would be very difficult for Maurice [Wilkins] to maintain a dominant position that would allow him to think unhindered about DNA.. The thought could not be avoided that the best home for a feminist was another person’s lab”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:opitzjj6oapo6y3cr5ipwfdu/bafkreibj5i6hdhoinpdbtx5ij7e56lz5v6zg6d6aompkuvrxrdnmkfvj2m@jpeg)
November 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I read The Double Helix as an undergraduate. I was a science major at a women’s college taking molecular biology. Our professor taught us that Watson & Crick screwed Rosalind Franklin over.
So I read the book to learn more. I’ll never forget how reading this passage made me feel.
So I read the book to learn more. I’ll never forget how reading this passage made me feel.
“Low-class Italians use a little d.”
Cannot recommend this article enough.
Cannot recommend this article enough.
October 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
“Low-class Italians use a little d.”
Cannot recommend this article enough.
Cannot recommend this article enough.
Good lord “it’s infected 173 people and we’re worried about zoonotic risk” is a far cry from “it’s killed 173 people and it’s already reassorted!”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Good lord “it’s infected 173 people and we’re worried about zoonotic risk” is a far cry from “it’s killed 173 people and it’s already reassorted!”
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
I'd like to highlight this passage in particular, since the New ACIP loves to pat themselves on the back for their supposed radical transparency and excuse their extremist, unscientific anti-vax views as academic dissent.
THIS is academic dissent: opposition to quackery
THIS is academic dissent: opposition to quackery
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I'd like to highlight this passage in particular, since the New ACIP loves to pat themselves on the back for their supposed radical transparency and excuse their extremist, unscientific anti-vax views as academic dissent.
THIS is academic dissent: opposition to quackery
THIS is academic dissent: opposition to quackery
Although you should come to this paper for the grave warning based on the authors' detailed measurement of how ACIP is functionally circling the bowl, you should stay for the incredible evidence-based academic zingers alone.
![Once a leading authority in US public health prevention policy, ACIP has experienced a decline in credibility following a series of missteps and a shift in emphasis from vaccine policy development to concerns about vaccine-related harms. The chair repeatedly stated that their activities would “restore public trust in vaccines,” while many on the committee are personally responsible for sowing that distrust. In response, professional societies and state agencies are collaborating with insurers, pharmacists, and other stakeholders to reinforce national vaccine policy and infrastructure. Amid this situation, the public is confused, concerned, and unsure of where to turn for valid guidance regarding vaccines [72,73]. The danger of this moment is substantial. Our collective failure will be measured in lives lost or permanently altered by infections that could have been prevented or mitigated through vaccination. We identified four shortcomings that now hinder ACIP's capacity to develop effective national vaccine recommendations.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:opitzjj6oapo6y3cr5ipwfdu/bafkreibq5v4zzkkhv3uop5ohakt2iw2srpr6txcqsl7ul3cld33e2ksdpa@jpeg)
![ACIP has long been known for its scientific rigor. However, the last two meetings were both marked by procedural chaos and low-quality recommendations [74]. Presentations were of variable quality, with CDC experts presenting well-organized and scientifically sound information, and non-CDC experts presenting unvetted information of low scientific rigor or personal anecdotes. The latter presentations highlighted unfounded claims often used in vaccine misinformation and overly focused on already well-acknowledged limitations of vaccine safety studies. In contrast, the limitations of vaccine adverse event reporting studies—including the challenges in establishing causal associations and the relative rarity of such effects—were overlooked, hindering a balanced and informed policy-making process.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:opitzjj6oapo6y3cr5ipwfdu/bafkreieyv5l4f2ceysp4utvuvytobp5e4osei6b27tp5wtoe5qovbqep2a@jpeg)
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Although you should come to this paper for the grave warning based on the authors' detailed measurement of how ACIP is functionally circling the bowl, you should stay for the incredible evidence-based academic zingers alone.
This is even more apparent in how New ACIP performed during the voting process. They didn't use most of the mechanisms for evaluating data or developing policy questions that ACIP traditionally does.
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This is even more apparent in how New ACIP performed during the voting process. They didn't use most of the mechanisms for evaluating data or developing policy questions that ACIP traditionally does.
New ACIP's performance has declined considerably relative to their predecessors. They have especially regressed in the "Independence & Non-Bias," "Making Recommendations," and "Integration into Policy Making" categories. Sucks, considering that's...kind of the point of ACIP!
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
New ACIP's performance has declined considerably relative to their predecessors. They have especially regressed in the "Independence & Non-Bias," "Making Recommendations," and "Integration into Policy Making" categories. Sucks, considering that's...kind of the point of ACIP!
In a legit city with an evening to myself, so I took myself out for dinner. Place is great and they make a great martini & have oysters that don’t make me fear severe gastroenteritis but all I can hear is Aruba, Jamaica, ooo I wanna take ya…
October 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
In a legit city with an evening to myself, so I took myself out for dinner. Place is great and they make a great martini & have oysters that don’t make me fear severe gastroenteritis but all I can hear is Aruba, Jamaica, ooo I wanna take ya…
Reminder: this Hooker who wants to jail scientists & public health officials for saving lives once called it “so cool” that he could have exposed thousands after he got measles in Texas & traveled to California.
We aren’t the ones who should be in jail. I’ll “break out the orange jumpsuit.”
We aren’t the ones who should be in jail. I’ll “break out the orange jumpsuit.”
October 23, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reminder: this Hooker who wants to jail scientists & public health officials for saving lives once called it “so cool” that he could have exposed thousands after he got measles in Texas & traveled to California.
We aren’t the ones who should be in jail. I’ll “break out the orange jumpsuit.”
We aren’t the ones who should be in jail. I’ll “break out the orange jumpsuit.”
This paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis of sperm count data from 1973-2011. The authors extracted sperm count studies going back decades & analyzed the count data. They show that sperm counts decreased by 59% in "Western" men (from N America, Europe, NZ, Australia)
October 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis of sperm count data from 1973-2011. The authors extracted sperm count studies going back decades & analyzed the count data. They show that sperm counts decreased by 59% in "Western" men (from N America, Europe, NZ, Australia)
Today's topic is assessing whether the paper falsifies the hypothesis that "the sperm count and testosterone of an adolescent is 50% that of a 65-year-old is something that Bobby pulled out of his ass."
October 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Today's topic is assessing whether the paper falsifies the hypothesis that "the sperm count and testosterone of an adolescent is 50% that of a 65-year-old is something that Bobby pulled out of his ass."
At the 19th Vaccine Congress, we had record attendance, an incredible program, & continued to build our supportive community of vaccine researchers.
It's nearly a year away, but mark your calendars: next year's Vaccine Congress is going to be one to remember. See you in Seville!
It's nearly a year away, but mark your calendars: next year's Vaccine Congress is going to be one to remember. See you in Seville!
October 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
At the 19th Vaccine Congress, we had record attendance, an incredible program, & continued to build our supportive community of vaccine researchers.
It's nearly a year away, but mark your calendars: next year's Vaccine Congress is going to be one to remember. See you in Seville!
It's nearly a year away, but mark your calendars: next year's Vaccine Congress is going to be one to remember. See you in Seville!
Dear European colleagues, I strongly advise you to forcefully repudiate this initiative before they end up in a position to influence policy. Let me know if I can help.
October 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Dear European colleagues, I strongly advise you to forcefully repudiate this initiative before they end up in a position to influence policy. Let me know if I can help.
In July, I realized monitoring & testing of people with high risk exposures had essentially stopped since May. I checked today, and these numbers haven't moved. Monitoring & testing is not occurring, despite the fact that exposures almost certainly are.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/where-has-...
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/where-has-...
October 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In July, I realized monitoring & testing of people with high risk exposures had essentially stopped since May. I checked today, and these numbers haven't moved. Monitoring & testing is not occurring, despite the fact that exposures almost certainly are.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/where-has-...
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/where-has-...
The newsletter from agricultural producer news site WATT Poultry is now a primary source of my anxiety. H5N1 is exploding in North American poultry. Every day, a headline like this.
But no human cases. Either there aren't any or there's no testing. Given CDC's dismantling, I can guess.
But no human cases. Either there aren't any or there's no testing. Given CDC's dismantling, I can guess.
October 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The newsletter from agricultural producer news site WATT Poultry is now a primary source of my anxiety. H5N1 is exploding in North American poultry. Every day, a headline like this.
But no human cases. Either there aren't any or there's no testing. Given CDC's dismantling, I can guess.
But no human cases. Either there aren't any or there's no testing. Given CDC's dismantling, I can guess.
And while I do think its unlikely the ostriches are a huge risk, they are still a risk that can't be quantified. Because an H5N1 pandemic would be so catastrophic, this is a risk we can't afford to take.
October 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
And while I do think its unlikely the ostriches are a huge risk, they are still a risk that can't be quantified. Because an H5N1 pandemic would be so catastrophic, this is a risk we can't afford to take.
Great piece from @brucearthur.bsky.social @thestar.com about the bird flu ostrich circus.
The economic and scientific issues concern me a lot, but for me, it all comes back to this: the US is where it is now because public health was politicized & exploited to undermine democracy & the rule of law.
The economic and scientific issues concern me a lot, but for me, it all comes back to this: the US is where it is now because public health was politicized & exploited to undermine democracy & the rule of law.
October 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Great piece from @brucearthur.bsky.social @thestar.com about the bird flu ostrich circus.
The economic and scientific issues concern me a lot, but for me, it all comes back to this: the US is where it is now because public health was politicized & exploited to undermine democracy & the rule of law.
The economic and scientific issues concern me a lot, but for me, it all comes back to this: the US is where it is now because public health was politicized & exploited to undermine democracy & the rule of law.
You have no idea how annoyed and tired I am of both influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, so I decided to reduce my risk of dealing with them both.
October 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
You have no idea how annoyed and tired I am of both influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, so I decided to reduce my risk of dealing with them both.
HAI stands for hemagglutination inhibition, because the H in H5 is hemagglutinin (HA). It’s called this because it binds red blood cells & makes them clump, so HAIs are specific to HA. The H5 component is one thing most people don’t have antibodies to.
www.cdc.gov/flu/php/viru...
www.cdc.gov/flu/php/viru...
October 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
HAI stands for hemagglutination inhibition, because the H in H5 is hemagglutinin (HA). It’s called this because it binds red blood cells & makes them clump, so HAIs are specific to HA. The H5 component is one thing most people don’t have antibodies to.
www.cdc.gov/flu/php/viru...
www.cdc.gov/flu/php/viru...
Here is ostrich town crier Katie explaining how she has antibodies to H5N1 because of the “harmless” H5N1 she got from her mom’s infected ostriches & how we’d all be seropositive for H5N1 if we were tested.
Using ostrich expert Steven Pelech’s test, that’s probably true 🧵
Using ostrich expert Steven Pelech’s test, that’s probably true 🧵
October 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Here is ostrich town crier Katie explaining how she has antibodies to H5N1 because of the “harmless” H5N1 she got from her mom’s infected ostriches & how we’d all be seropositive for H5N1 if we were tested.
Using ostrich expert Steven Pelech’s test, that’s probably true 🧵
Using ostrich expert Steven Pelech’s test, that’s probably true 🧵
Whether CFIA culls the birds or the ostrich repo man comes for them, their fate is sealed.
October 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Whether CFIA culls the birds or the ostrich repo man comes for them, their fate is sealed.
These ostriches are commercial poultry, not pets. The ostrich farmers claim they are not & are beloved pets with names. We must have a different idea of what pets are, because I would never slaughter my dogs for meat like farmer Karen here. (Credit: @sisuvanhell.bsky.social)
October 5, 2025 at 10:25 PM
These ostriches are commercial poultry, not pets. The ostrich farmers claim they are not & are beloved pets with names. We must have a different idea of what pets are, because I would never slaughter my dogs for meat like farmer Karen here. (Credit: @sisuvanhell.bsky.social)