Health officials are currently investigating suspected cases of H5 bird flu, and confirmatory testing is in progress. Cats can contract bird flu by consuming infected birds or other animals, or by ingesting raw milk from infected cows, according to health officials. While cats can potentially transmit influenza strains to humans, there have been no reports of this occurring with the current H5 bird flu outbreak.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, emphasized that the risk of H5 bird flu in Los Angeles County remains low. However, a case of the virus in a pet cat that consumed raw milk serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with consuming raw dairy products. To prevent the spread of disease, including H5 bird flu, residents are strongly encouraged to avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products, limit contact with sick or dead animals, report sick or dead birds, and keep pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds.
Two cats in Los Angeles reportedly died from bird flu after consuming raw milk. In Maricopa County, Arizona, several animals at the Wildlife World Zoo, including a cheetah, mountain lion, swamphen, Indian goose, and kookaburra, succumbed to bird flu. A white tiger also tested positive for the virus but was responding well to treatment.
Authorities have deemed the overall risk to the public and zoo visitors low, despite the detection of avian influenza in some animals at the zoo. The zoo representative provided an update stating that there have been no further cases in the past nine days, and no employees or volunteers have tested positive for avian influenza.
The outbreaks have also affected dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl, and wild birds in various states across the U.S. Sam Scarpino, PhD, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University, expressed concern over the animal deaths, indicating that the situation with H5N1 in the U.S. appears to be worsening rather than improving. He emphasized the dangers of consuming raw milk, pointing out the reported infections in humans and domestic cats due to raw milk consumption.
“Taking proactive measures to enhance control over the transmission of the H5N1 virus in dairy cows and to deepen our understanding of how it is propagating across states in the United States is crucial,” emphasized Dr. Jacob Glanville, the Chief Executive Officer of Centivax, a biotechnology company based in San Francisco. Dr. Glanville issued a warning regarding the discovery of H5N1 in raw milk, noting that the virus has been detected in “relatively high concentrations” within this unprocessed dairy product.
Dr. Glanville highlighted the potential risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk, cautioning that the H5N1 virus can remain viable in milk and pose a threat of infection to individuals who consume it. While instances of H5N1 infections resulting from raw milk consumption have not been widespread, the ongoing mutation of the virus indicates an evolving risk factor. Although many cows have displayed only mild symptoms of infection, Dr. Glanville underscored the highly virulent nature of the strain, particularly evident in birds, ferrets, and primates.
The reported cases of H5N1 infections in humans and domestic cats due to the ingestion of raw milk serve as alarming reminders of the hazards associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products, as highlighted by an expert interviewed by Fox News Digital. Research suggests that even a single mutation in the virus could significantly heighten its ability to infect humans, further underscoring the importance of exercising caution.
Given the virus’s ability to persist in milk and infect mucosal membranes, coupled with the looming threat of a potential pandemic, Dr. Glanville strongly recommended averting the consumption of raw milk as a preventive measure. It is imperative to prioritize the consumption of pasteurized milk as a means of mitigating the spread of harmful pathogens commonly found in raw milk, as reiterated by the expert in the interview.
In light of the recent outbreaks of H5N1 infections among cats and zoo animals, as well as the escalating spread of the virus across the United States, Dr. Glanville’s call to action resonates as a timely reminder of the need for heightened vigilance and precautionary measures. By taking proactive steps to bolster control over the transmission of H5N1 within dairy cow populations and enhancing our surveillance efforts to track its dissemination between states, we can effectively curb the potential risks posed by this viral strain. The imperative to prioritize the consumption of pasteurized milk and to abstain from raw milk consumption cannot be overstated, especially in light of the evolving nature of the H5N1 virus and its capacity for mutation.
