California Department of Public Health reports or announcements

Cats Die from Suspected H5N1 Bird Flu After Consuming Recalled Raw Milk

Dec 12, 2024, 10:00 PM

Los Angeles County health officials are investigating the deaths of two indoor cats that consumed recalled raw milk from Raw Farm LLC, which tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. The cats exhibited symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, and neurological signs before succumbing to the illness. Testing confirmed the presence of Influenza A, with officials suspecting H5N1 bird flu as the cause. This incident has raised concerns about the spread of the virus to other animals, including a recent outbreak at the Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona, where several animals, including a cheetah and a mountain lion, died from the virus. The USDA has also reported additional outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry across several states, highlighting the ongoing threat of H5N1 bird flu.