Simply days after the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) issued a brand new order that each one uncooked (unpasteurized) milk should be examined for chicken flu, studies have emerged of animals dying of the virus.
In Los Angeles County, the general public well being division is investigating the deaths of two cats that reportedly consumed recalled uncooked milk.
After consuming the milk, the felines displayed signs that included lack of urge for food, fever and neurologic points, in keeping with a press launch from the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being.
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“The contaminated cats died after extreme worsening of their sickness, and subsequently examined constructive for influenza A, a uncommon lead to cats,” the discharge acknowledged.
Stories have emerged of animals dying of chicken flu in varied components of the U.S. (not pictured). The USDA not too long ago issued a brand new order that each one uncooked (unpasteurized) milk should be examined for the virus. (iStock)
Well being officers are contemplating these “suspected H5 chicken flu circumstances” and confirmatory testing is underway.
Cats can contract chicken flu by consuming contaminated birds or different animals or consuming uncooked milk from contaminated cows, in keeping with well being officers.
Though it’s attainable for cats to transmit influenza strains to people, there have been no studies of it occurring with the present H5 chicken flu outbreak.
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“The danger of H5 chicken flu stays low in Los Angeles County, however this suspected case of the virus in a pet cat that consumed uncooked milk is a reminder that consuming uncooked dairy merchandise can result in extreme sickness in cats,” stated Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being, within the launch.Â
“To keep away from the unfold of illness, together with H5 chicken flu, 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 hold pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds.”
Two cats in Los Angeles (not pictured) reportedly died from chicken flu after consuming uncooked milk. (iStock)
In the meantime, on the Wildlife World Zoo in Maricopa County, Arizona, a number of resident animals have reportedly died after turning into contaminated with chicken flu.
Native studies acknowledged {that a} cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, an Indian goose and a kookaburra died on account of chicken flu, in keeping with a zoo official.
A white tiger additionally was confirmed to be contaminated however “seemed to be responding to remedy,” per the report.
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“Maricopa County Division of Public Well being (MCDPH) is working carefully with state and federal companions to reply to detection of avian influenza in a small variety of animals which are a part of a zoo assortment in Litchfield Park,” well being officers acknowledged in a press launch this week.
“Total danger to the general public and zoo guests stays low.”
A zoo consultant offered an replace to Fox Information Digital on Friday.
“Happily, we’re 9 days out with out anymore constructive circumstances,” a zoo consultant advised Fox Information Digital. “We additionally haven’t had any constructive circumstances with any of our workers or volunteers on account of avian influenza.” (iStock)
“Happily, we’re 9 days out with out anymore constructive circumstances,” the spokesperson stated. “We additionally haven’t had any constructive circumstances with any of our workers or volunteers on account of avian influenza.”
“We’re all devastated by the lack of 5 cherished animals, however with over 6,000 animals, we’re grateful that the impression was restricted due to our swift response and strong protocols.”
“We’re all devastated by the lack of 5 cherished animals.”
Continued outbreaks have additionally been reported amongst dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl and wild birds in a number of U.S. states.
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Sam Scarpino, PhD, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern College in Boston, stated the animal deaths are “continued indicators” that the state of affairs with H5N1 within the U.S. is “getting worse, not higher.”
Continued outbreaks have additionally been reported amongst dairy cattle, poultry, waterfowl and wild birds in a number of U.S. states. (iStock)
“The reported infections in people and now home cats attributable to their consumption of uncooked milk additionally highlights how harmful it’s for individuals to eat uncooked milk,” he advised Fox Information Digital.Â
“It’s essential that we take steps to higher management the transmission of H5N1 in dairy cows and higher perceive the way it’s spreading between states within the U.S.”
“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 H5N1 has been present in “comparatively excessive concentrations” in uncooked milk.
“With out pasteurizing it, the virus stays viable within the milk and will probably infect somebody who drinks it,” he advised Fox Information Digital.Â
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“It’s not that widespread of an prevalence, as we’ve not seen a rash of H5N1 infections from uncooked milk drinkers, however the virus is mutating and is subsequently a possible danger.”
Though most cows have solely had delicate an infection, Glanville famous that the pressure has been “extremely virulent” in birds, ferrets and primates.
“The reported infections in people and now home cats attributable to their consumption of uncooked milk additionally highlights how harmful it’s for individuals to eat uncooked milk,” an knowledgeable advised Fox Information Digital. (iStock)
“Research point out that even a single mutation might considerably improve its infectivity in people,” he stated.
“Given the virus’ capacity to persist in milk and infect mucosal membranes, together with the potential for a pandemic, avoiding uncooked milk is strongly beneficial,” Glanville added.
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The knowledgeable additionally emphasised that it’s essential to solely drink pasteurized milk to stop the unfold of dangerous pathogens generally present in uncooked milk.
