Chook flu causes deaths of cats and zoo animals as virus continues to unfold

Simply days after the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) issued a brand new order requiring all uncooked (unpasteurized) milk to be examined. for bird fluthere have been stories of animals dying from the virus.

In Los Angeles County, the general public well being division is investigating the deaths of two cats who allegedly consumed recalled uncooked milk.

After consuming the milk, the felines skilled signs together with lack of urge for food, fever and neurological issues, in accordance with a press launch from the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being.

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“The contaminated cats died after a extreme worsening of their sickness and subsequently examined constructive for influenza A, a uncommon discovering in cats,” the assertion stated.

There have been stories of animals dying from hen flu in numerous components of america (not proven). The USDA lately issued a brand new order that every one uncooked (unpasteurized) milk have to be examined for the virus. (iStock)

Well being authorities are inspecting these “suspected instances of H5 hen flu” and confirmatory assessments are underway.

Cats can get hen flu by consuming contaminated birds or different animals or consuming uncooked milk from contaminated cows, in accordance with health officials.

Though it’s doable for cats to transmit strains of flu to people, no instances have been reported with the present outbreak of H5 avian flu.

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“The chance of H5 hen flu stays low in Los Angeles County, however this suspected case of the virus in a pet cat that consumed uncooked milk reminds us that consuming uncooked dairy merchandise can result in severe sickness in cats,” stated Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being, within the press launch.

“To forestall the unfold of illness, together with H5 avian influenza, we strongly encourage residents and their pets to keep away from uncooked dairy and undercooked meat merchandise, restrict contact with sick or useless animals, report sick or useless birds and preserve pets or poultry away from wildlife and birds.

Two Los Angeles cats (not pictured) reportedly died of hen flu after consuming uncooked milk. (iStock)

In the meantime, on the Wildlife World Zoo in Maricopa County, Arizona, just a few resident animals reportedly died after being contaminated with hen flu.

Native stories indicated {that a} cheetah, a mountain lion, a sultana, an Indian goose and a kookaburra died from avian flu, in accordance with a zoo official.

A white tiger was additionally confirmed to be contaminated, however “appeared to reply to therapy,” in accordance with the report.

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“The Maricopa County Division of Public Well being (MCDPH) is working intently with state and federal companions to reply to the detection of avian influenza in a small variety of animals in a Litchfield Zoo assortment Park,” well being officers stated in a information launch. this week.

“The general threat to the general public and zoo guests stays low.”

A zoo consultant supplied an replace to Fox Information Digital on Friday.

“Fortunately, we’re 9 days with none extra constructive instances,” a zoo consultant advised Fox Information Digital. “We now have additionally had no constructive instances of hen flu in any of our employees or volunteers.” (iStock)

“Luckily, we’re 9 days with no extra constructive instances,” the spokesperson stated. “We now have additionally had no constructive instances in any of our staff or volunteers as a result of bird flu“.

“We’re all devastated by the lack of 5 valuable animals, however with greater than 6,000 animals, we’re grateful that the impression was restricted due to our speedy response and strong protocols.”

“We’re all devastated by the lack of 5 valuable animals.”

Continuing epidemics have additionally been reported in dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl and wild birds in a number of US states.

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Sam Scarpino, PhD, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern College in Boston, stated the animal deaths are “persevering with indicators” that the H5N1 state of affairs in america is “getting worse.” will get worse, not higher.”

Persevering with outbreaks have additionally been reported amongst dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl and wild birds in a number of US states. (iStock)

“Reported infections in people and now in home cats as a result of their consumption of uncooked milk additionally spotlight how harmful it’s for folks to eat uncooked milk,” he advised Fox Information Digital.

“It’s important that we take steps to raised management the transmission of H5N1 in dairy cows and higher perceive the way it spreads between states in america.”

“Research point out that even a single mutation might considerably improve its infectivity in people.”

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology firm, warned that the H5N1 virus had been detected in “comparatively excessive concentrations” in uncooked milk.

“With out pasteurizing it, the virus stays viable within the milk and will doubtlessly infect somebody who drinks it,” he advised Fox Information Digital.

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“This phenomenon isn’t that widespread, as we’ve not noticed a rash of H5N1 infections originating from raw milk drinkershowever the virus is mutating and subsequently constitutes a possible threat. »

Though a lot of the cows had solely a gentle an infection, Glanville famous that the pressure was discovered to be “very virulent” in birds, ferrets and primates.

“Reported infections in people and now home cats as a result of their consumption of uncooked milk additionally spotlight how harmful it’s for folks to eat uncooked milk,” an knowledgeable advised Fox Information Digital. (iStock)

“Research point out that even a single mutation might improve its infectious power in people,” he stated.

“Given the flexibility of the virus to persist in milk and infect mucous membranes, in addition to the chance of a pandemic, it’s strongly really useful to keep away from uncooked milk,” Glanville added.

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The knowledgeable additionally harassed that it’s important to drink solely pasteurized milk to keep away from the unfold of dangerous pathogens generally present in uncooked milk.