Two Cats Die of Bird Flu After Drinking Raw Milk

Two cats have died of possible bird flu infections after drinking Raw Farm raw milk that has been recalled. That farm is located in California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. The indoor cats consumed the raw milk before they got sick. Symptoms included lack of appetite, fever, and neurological signs. The cats died, and testing was positive for influenza A, a rare result in cats. The nationwide Influenza A-H5N1 bird flu outbreak has seen other cats infected with the virus after consuming infected raw milk.

People who had direct contact with the cats have been offered antiviral prophylaxis. There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to these cats. The investigation is ongoing.