LA County reissues raw milk warning after cats get H5 bird flu

Los Angeles County officials Thursday were investigating two possible cases of H5 bird flu in pet cats that consumed raw milk from Raw Farm LLC that is under a statewide recall, according to the Department of Public Health.

The infected indoor cats consumed products linked to a recall of raw milk and cream products before to the start of symptoms that included lack of appetite, fever and neurologic signs, health officials said.

“The infected cats died after severe worsening of their illness, and subsequently tested positive for Influenza A, a rare result in cats,” according to the health department statement.

To further investigate the suspected bird flu infections, health officials were in the process of obtaining additional testing to confirm the virus’ presence. The nationwide H5 bird flu outbreak has included other cats that acquired the virus after consuming infected raw milk.

LA County residents who had direct contact with the infected cats were monitoring for symptoms and have been offered antiviral prophylaxis, officials said, adding that no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to the cats have been identified.

Despite the lack of human cases and the relatively low risk to county residents, health officials said this detection of bird flu in cats underscores the importance taking proactive steps to prevent the virus’ spread.

“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,” said Barbara Ferrer, LA County Public Health director, said in a statement. “To avoid 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 or poultry away from wild animals and birds.”

Cats have transmitted another influenza strain to humans, but there have been no known cases to date of H5 bird flu transmitted from cats to humans as part of this nationwide H5 bird flu outbreak, officials said. Cats may be exposed to the virus by eating infected birds or other animals, being in environments contaminated with the virus and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows. Transmission from mammal to mammal is also possible.

Cats with H5 bird flu may become severely ill with symptoms such as fever and neurologic impairment, which can rapidly progress to death.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, and it can carry harmful germs including the flu virus, according to the health department. Those at the highest risk for severe illness include people who are pregnant, 65 years and older, younger than age 5 and have weakened immune systems.

“Public Health continues to strongly encourage residents to avoid consuming raw milk and to not feed it to their pets; this includes frozen raw milk products since freezing does not eliminate harmful germs that can cause illness. Pasteurized milk remains safe to drink,” the agency’s statement said.

Bird flu symptoms in humans are eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever, according to the county.

Testing of samples from birds, cats and wild mammals is underway at the county’s Public Health Laboratory, as are routine tests of clinical specimens from humans part of ongoing bird flu surveillance, officials said.

The Public Health Department encouraged these practices to help prevent the spread of H5 avian flu:

• “Avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products: Do not drink raw milk or eat raw cheeses and undercooked meat products. Do not feed these to your pets. Raw milk, even from healthy cows, may be contaminated with harmful germs that can make you and your pets very sick. Freezing raw milk does not eliminate the harmful germs that may be in the product.
• “Limit contact with animals: Avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals or birds or any materials contaminated with bird feces. Avoid handling wild birds and observe them only from a distance. If you have to handle wild birds, even if they appear healthy, wear a well-fitting mask and gloves, and practice good hand hygiene, as some birds may carry the virus without showing symptoms.
• “Report sick or dead birds: Contact your local animal control agency if you see sick or dead birds. Symptoms can vary; infected birds or animals may be unable to fly, have seizures, have difficulty walking or be found dead.
• “Protect pets or poultry: Keep pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds. Ensure that wild birds cannot defecate into areas holding or housing pet birds or poultry.
• “Remove bird feeders and baths: Take down bird feeders and communal bird baths to reduce the risk of the virus spreading from bird-to-bird.
• “Get a seasonal flu vaccine: People should receive a seasonal flu vaccine. While this vaccine does not prevent avian influenza infection, it can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and bird flu viruses at the same time.”

For questions or for help finding a clinic or doctor, residents can call the Public Health InfoLine at 833-540-0473 daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

More information on bird flu in animals is at publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/HPAI.htm and in humans via ph.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/h5n1.htm.