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Two cats in LA County are suspected of dying from bird flu
Containers of Raw Farm milk are displayed on a shelf at Berkeley Bowl on Nov. 25, 2024, in Berkeley, California.
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Topline:
Two cats that died in L.A. County are suspected of having contracted bird flu after consuming recently recalled raw milk, public health officials said Thursday.
What’s next: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is working to confirm the two cases as H5 bird flu infections, which are considered rare in cats.
Why it matters: Although human cases of bird flu remain rare with risk to residents low, these two cases of bird flu underscore the need for continued vigilance. There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with the exposure and the investigation is ongoing.
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How it can happen: Officials say cats can be exposed to H5 bird flu by eating infected birds or other animals, consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows, or being in environments contaminated with the virus. Early symptoms included a lack of appetite, fever, and neurologic signs before worsening dying.
The backstory: Public health officials said the cats consumed recalled milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm, LLC. Earlier this month, the California Public Health Department recalled all Raw Farm brand milk and cream on store shelves, after milk and cream samples tested positive for bird flu.
The context: “The risk of H5 bird flu remains low in Los Angeles County, but this suspected case of the virus in a pet cat that consumed raw milk is a reminder that consuming raw dairy products can lead to severe illness in cats," Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said in a statement.
Tips to stay safe: Public health officials are encouraging people to take these precautions:
- Avoid raw dairy and undercooked meats – this includes raw milk, cheese, undercooked meat products, and frozen raw products.
- Limit contact with animals – this includes protecting pets from wild animals or birds
- Get a seasonal flu vaccine – while this vaccine does not prevent bird flu infection, it does reduces the risk of catching both viruses simultaneously
Go deeper:
Avian flu in animals: publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/HPAI.htm
Avian flu in humans: ph.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/h5n1.htm
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