United States: A recent research indicates that the bird flu is becoming widespread among animals, as over 50% of the cats at the first dairy farm in Texas where the cows tested positive for the virus last spring passed away after consuming raw milk.
The paper, which was published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases on Tuesday, describes the preliminary findings of the inquiry into the avian flu outbreak that has affected the nation’s dairy farms.
Cats’ Fatal Encounter with Avian Flu
The raw milk that the cats at the Texas farm were given came from cows that were infected with avian influenza, or H5N1. The cats began to get sick a day after the farm observed that the cows were becoming ill. Ultimately, about 50% of the felines died.
“The cats were found dead with no apparent signs of injury and were from a resident population of [approximately] 24 domestic cats that had been fed milk from sick cows,” the researchers stated in their paper.
Tests on samples taken from the dead cats’ brains and lungs indicated “high amounts of virus,” and autopsies in the eyes and brain showed “microscopic lesions consistent with severe systemic virus infection,” according to the report.
Raw Milk Contamination
“Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indicated the commercial milk supply remains safe, the detection of influenza virus in unpasteurized bovine milk is a concern because of potential cross-species transmission,” they stated.
The FDA found that almost 1 in 5 pasteurized milk samples it had tested positive for H5N1, despite the fact that only innocuous viral fragments have been found thus far. The FDA said last week that pasteurization is eliminating the virus in milk. But officials have warned Americans about drinking raw milk on several occasions.
Concerns Over Milk Supply
Although the transmission of the virus from cows to cats through raw milk is a recent development, cats have long been recognized as a species particularly susceptible to serious illness caused by H5N1, according to CBS News.
Cat Susceptibility to H5N1
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there have been several reports of cat fatalities and neurological illnesses near fields where the virus has been spreading.
among contrast, the scientists noted that among herds infected with the virus, just 15% of cows exhibited symptoms of disease. According to CBS News, the virus has proved disastrous for chicken flocks, which have either had to be culled or experienced widespread mortality after contracting it from wild birds.
Spread of Virus Among Cattle
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines this month for veterinarians treating suspected H5N1 cases in cats in response to the recent cat illnesses on dairy farms. The guidelines include using respirators and goggles to prevent viral transmission.
“While it’s unlikely that people would become infected with bird flu viruses through contact with an infected wild, stray, feral or domestic cat, it is possible — especially if there is prolonged and unprotected exposure to the animal,” according to the advisory issued by the agency.
Health officials have been working quickly to stop the virus from spreading among dairy animals.
Measures to Contain the Virus
In addition to testing ground beef sold at stores for H5N1, the USDA said on Monday that it will research the potential of cooking meat to contain the virus. The EPA increased testing on dairy animals being transported across state boundaries last week.
“As of April 30, H5N1 has affected 34 dairy cows. To put things in perspective, there are more than 26,000 dairy cattle in the country, a representative told CBS News.