The number of cases of swine flu and E. coli is on the rise, reminding us that the dangers of factory-farm–bred pathogens and meatborne illnesses have become impossible to ignore. The most recent E. coli outbreak, which killed two people and sickened dozens more, has been traced directly to the New York–based ground beef producer Fairbank Farms—which recalled more than 545,000 pounds of meat on October 31.

In the wake of this deadly outbreak, we're launching our "Meat Kills" billboard to let New Englanders know that the safest thing to do with meat is to throw it out:

Meatborne illness is just one symptom of a very sick and cruel industry. The threat of E. coli infection, listeriosis, campylobacter infection, and other bacterial infections is only the beginning of the devastating health effects of eating the dead, rotting flesh of a tormented animal. Research has shown that vegetarians are 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease, and their chance of getting cancer is 40 percent lower than that of meat-eaters. Plus, meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans are.

It's obvious that the best thing anyone can do for his or her health is to ditch the deadly meat and adopt a vegan diet. So what are you waiting for?

Posted by Liz Graffeo

Achoo! Swine flu?

Sunshine State residents who feel under the weather should know that Florida has had 141 confirmed swine flu deaths. Sounds to me like Florida residents would do well to learn about ways to stop the spread of swine flu—hence our action in Jacksonville this morning.

PETA "pig" and his peeps, decked out in our new swine flu masks, handed out copies of our "Vegetarian Starter Kit" to passersby.

Evidence is growing that the meat industry is responsible for the swine flu outbreak, just as it was largely responsible for outbreaks of MRSA, mad cow, E. coli, and bird flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have shown that 30 to 50 percent of pigs raised for food in the U.S. have been infected with some strain of swine flu. That shouldn't come as any surprise, considering that jam-packed, filthy factory farms are breeding grounds for disease.

The best way to help guard against future swine flu outbreaks? Swear off the ham, Spam, and snouts—and go vegan.

Posted by Karin Bennett

Yesterday, the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority ruled against a PETA U.K. ad that the watch group feels the public is too dense to understand. The decision was sparked by a sole complainant who thought that people might be confused by this billboard:

Personally, I think it's pretty straightforward, but moving on: How about this one, which PETA U.K. unveiled yesterday?

Hans-Gerhard Wagner of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has acknowledged that factory farms create an "opportunity for emerging disease." The meat, egg, and dairy industries keep diseased animals in crowded, filthy conditions and feed them a steady diet of drugs to keep them alive. It shouldn't come as a shock that factory farms provide the ideal conditions for drug-resistant "superbugs" to develop.

Forgo the surgical masks, folks. The safest, easiest way to prevent animal-borne disease epidemics is to go vegan.

Posted by Karin Bennett

It's a hazy day here on the Right Coast. As I watch leaves fall and steam rise from my soy mocha, the mood is set for a lazy (yet highly skilled) meander through gossip rags for fun stuff. Here are my faves:

• Warning! Seals can literally cute you to death.
• Kiddies catch E. coli from petting zoo. Animals unnaturally held captive. Why is this still appealing?
• "Clucking" mad at KFC? I bet that's why this chicken wanders through its drive-through.
• The real Scorpion King creatively atones for his sins. Love this!
• Sesame Street reps tofu! The revolution is here!
• Lacking imagination and compassion, yet another "Elmer Fudd" accidentally shoots himself.
• Hug a Vegetarian Day is right around the corner. Show some love, y'all!
• This is both creepy and thought-provoking.

Thanks for stopping by! Catch you next time, and don't forget to hug all your vegetarian friends.

Posted by Missy Lane

nbbc / CC

A recent study suggests—that a certain sugar called Neu5Gc, which is commonly—and only—found in meat and dairy products, might actually increase the risk of infection from E. coli—that nasty bacteria that grows in animals' guts and is shed in their feces. E. coli can be deadly to human beings (remember the kids at Jack in the Box?). Slaughterhouses are filth pits, and that E. coli-ridden filth and feces often ends up on someone's hamburger or chicken breast. Children are particularly vulnerable if they are exposed to the bacteria.

In light of a recent E. coli outbreak in Vermont and this new finding about Neu5Gc, we've sent a letter off to the president of BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont. We are urging the health insurance company to lower health premiums for vegetarians—a change that can save money not only for vegetarians but the company as well. You can check out the full letter here.

Vegetarians are, on average, much healthier than meat and dairy eaters (E. coli outbreaks aside). Vegetarians have stronger immune systems, making them less susceptible to illnesses. And unless they are piling on the cheese and processed foods, they invariably weigh less. They are also 40 percent less likely to have cancer than are individuals who consume animal meat. And, as if that weren't enough, studies show that meat, eggs, and dairy products are all linked to osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, and even impotence. Yikes!

Nowadays, everyone is trying to save a buck. So, how about lowering health insurance premiums for people who choose a plant-based diet? After all, vegetarians generally require fewer health resources such as medications and doctor visits than do those who feed their bodies steroid-injected meat and pus-filled dairy "products"!

Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky