Los Angeles public health officials announced on Thursday that they are investigating two cases of cats suspected of being infected with H5 avian influenza after drinking recalled raw milk.
According to the city news agency, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated that two cats showed symptoms of loss of appetite, fever, and neurological issues after consuming raw milk products recalled by Raw Farm LLC, and eventually died.
Health officials revealed that tests showed these two cats were infected with the H1N1 influenza virus, a rare occurrence in cats. They are awaiting test results to confirm if these cats were indeed infected with H5 avian influenza. The county public health department’s statement suggested that in other parts of the United States, cats have been infected with H5 avian influenza after consuming contaminated raw milk.
The agency expressed that they are monitoring symptoms in individuals who had direct contact with these cats and providing antiviral prophylaxis. As of now, there have been no reports of individuals contracting avian influenza from contact with these cats.
Barbara Ferrer, the director of the county health department, stated in the announcement that the risk of contracting H5 avian influenza remains low in Los Angeles County. However, cases of pet cats falling ill serve as a reminder that consuming raw dairy products can lead to serious illnesses in cats. “To prevent the spread of diseases, including H5 avian influenza, we strongly recommend that residents and their pets avoid consuming raw dairy products and raw meat, limit contact with sick or dead animals, report sick or dead birds, and keep pets or poultry away from wildlife and birds,” she said.
Authorities strongly advise residents to refrain from drinking raw cow’s milk and not to feed it to pets. This includes frozen raw milk products as freezing does not eliminate bacteria that could cause illnesses. However, pasteurized milk remains a safe drinking choice. ◇