Just days after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a new order requiring all raw (unpasteurized) milk to be tested for bird fluReports have emerged that animals have died from the virus.
In Los Angeles County, the public health department is investigating the deaths of two cats that reportedly consumed recalled raw milk.
After drinking the milk, the cats showed symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever and neurological problems, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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“The infected cats died after a severe worsening of their illness and subsequently tested positive for influenza A, a rare finding in cats,” the release said.
Reports of animals dying from bird flu (not pictured) have emerged in several parts of the US. The USDA recently issued a new order requiring all raw (unpasteurized) milk to be tested for the virus. (iStock)
Health officials are considering these “suspected H5 bird flu cases” and confirmation testing is underway.
Cats can contract bird flu by consuming infected birds or other animals or by drinking raw milk from infected cows health officials.
While it is possible that cats can transmit flu strains to humans, there have been no reports of this happening in the current outbreak of H5 bird flu.
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“The risk of H5 bird flu remains low in Los Angeles County, but this suspected case of the virus in a domestic cat that consumed raw milk reminds us that consuming raw dairy products can lead to serious illness in cats,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in the release.
“To prevent the spread of disease, including H5 bird flu, we strongly encourage residents and their pets to avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products, limit contact with sick or dead animals, report sick or dead birds and keep pets and poultry away from wild animals and birds.”
Two cats in Los Angeles (not pictured) reportedly died of bird flu after consuming raw milk. (iStock)
Meanwhile, at the Wildlife World Zoo in Maricopa County, Arizona, a pair resident animals have reportedly died after becoming infected with bird flu.
Local reports said a cheetah, a mountain lion, a marsh, an Indian goose and a kookaburra died due to bird flu, a zoo official said.
A white tiger was also confirmed to have been infected but “appeared to be responding to treatment,” the report said.
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“Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is working closely with state and federal partners to respond to the detection of avian influenza in a small number of animals that are part of a zoo collection at Litchfield Park,” health officials stated in a news release. this week.
“The overall risk to the public and zoo visitors remains low.”
A zoo representative provided an update to Fox News Digital on Friday.
“Thankfully, we have gone nine days without any positive cases,” a zoo representative told Fox News Digital. “We have not had any positive cases as a result of bird flu among our employees or volunteers.” (iStock)
“Fortunately, we have gone nine days without any positive cases,” the spokesperson said. “We have also had no positive cases among our employees or volunteers as a result bird flu.”
“We are all devastated by the loss of five precious animals, but with over 6,000 animals we are grateful that the impact was limited thanks to our rapid response and robust protocols.”
“We are all devastated by the loss of five precious animals.”
Persistent outbreaks have also been reported in dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl, and wild birds in multiple U.S. states.
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Sam Scarpino, PhD, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, said the animal deaths are “continuing signs” that the H5N1 situation in the US is getting “worse, not better.”
Ongoing outbreaks have also been reported among dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl and wild birds in multiple US states. (iStock)
“The reported infections in humans and now domestic cats due to their consumption of raw milk also highlight how dangerous it is for humans to consume raw milk,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It is important that we take steps to better control transmission of H5N1 in dairy cows and better understand how the disease spreads between states in the US.”
“Studies indicate that even a single mutation could significantly increase its contagiousness in humans.”
Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, warned that H5N1 has been found in “relatively high concentrations” in raw milk.
“Without pasteurizing it, the virus remains viable in the milk and could potentially infect someone who drinks it,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“It doesn’t happen that often because we haven’t seen a rash of H5N1 infections yet raw milk drinkersbut the virus mutates and is therefore a potential risk.”
Although most cows have had only a mild infection, Glanville noted that the strain is “highly virulent” in birds, ferrets and primates.
“The reported infections in humans and now domestic cats due to their consumption of raw milk also highlight how dangerous it is for humans to consume raw milk,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Studies indicate that even a single mutation can do this significantly increase its contagiousness in humans,” he said.
“Given the ability of the virus to persist in milk and infect mucous membranes, along with the potential for a pandemic, avoidance of raw milk is strongly recommended,” Glanville added.
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The expert also emphasized that it is crucial to drink only pasteurized milk to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens commonly found in raw milk.
