Two Feline Departures Following Intake of Withdrawn Unpasteurized Dairy – Los Angeles Health Officials Suspect Avian Influenza Infection
Headline
Two Feline Departures Following Intake of Withdrawn Unpasteurized Dairy – Los Angeles Health Officials Suspect Avian Influenza Infection
Health experts in Los Angeles County are scrutinizing two suspected instances of avian influenza in felines that succumbed to illness following consumption of tainted raw milk, traced back to a batch contaminated with the H5N1 virus. This is the latest chapter in the ongoing narrative connecting unpasteurized dairy items to potential avian flu infections in California.
Crucial Facts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health asserts that two ailment-stricken domestic cats consumed raw milk sourced from Fresno-originated Raw Farm, which had previously issued a recall regarding a contaminated batch.
The cats exhibited symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, and neurological signs, and their conditions worsened significantly before their eventual demise. The deceased cats' test results revealed Influenza A, a viral group that encompasses most seasons' human flu cases and avian variants including H5N1. Authorities declared this an unusual finding in felines.
Those who interacted directly with the infected cats are under observation, and they have been extended antiviral prophylaxis as a precautionary measure.
Cats are susceptible to contracting H5N1 through various sources, including exposure to infected animals' meat or contaminated environments, consumption of raw milk from infected cattle, or ingestion of raw dairy products.
Federal health officials once again advised against the consumption of raw milk, emphasizing its potential to carry detrimental microorganisms like influenza.
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Are Human Avian Flu Cases Connected to Raw Milk?
No confirmed instances of human avian flu emergence from ingesting infected raw milk have been documented to date. However, public health authorities in Marin County, California, are investigating a suspected avian flu case in a child who reported symptoms of fever and vomiting following raw milk consumption. The individual has since recovered; however, their viral sample is still undergoing serotype testing to determine potential links to H5N1. Other family members have reported no illnesses, pointing towards the absence of human-to-human transmission. Individuals within the family consuming smaller quantities of the same raw milk without any adverse effects. A representative from the California Department of Public Health informed the Los Angeles Times that, since the recall announcement, local health experts have received reports of illnesses from ten individuals who reported consuming unpasteurized milk.
Risks of Consuming Raw Milk
The California Public Health Department cautions against the consumption of unpasteurized milk, which increases the risk of food-borne diseases led by pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, and Campylobacter. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has also issued a guide warning against the consumption of raw milk, recommending pasteurization as the safest solution to eliminate harmful pathogens.
Background Details
In response to the H5N1 bird flu virus traces detected in raw milk samples from retail outlets, Fresno-based Raw Farms issued a voluntary recall for several batches of raw milk products. This was followed by the temporary suspension of raw milk product sales from the company's facility after the virus was detected in bottled products and bulk storage tanks. The recent federal order from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mandates the sharing of raw milk samples with the agency if requested, with private laboratories and state veterinarians also required to furnish any positive test results. Despite numerous warnings from health experts and doctors concerning the risks associated with raw milk consumption, the practice continues to gain traction among various social media influencers and right-wing commentators.
Additional Reading
Potential Bird Flu Case May Be Linked to Raw Milk – Details Explained (Our Website)
The contaminated raw milk that caused avian flu in two cats in Los Angeles County was sourced from Raw Farm in Fresno, which had previously issued a recall for a contaminated batch. Consumption of raw milk can pose risks, as it has been linked to the transmission of pathogens like influenza, which was evident in the case of the infected cats.