Avian flu suspected in cats that drank raw milk as virus kills animals at Arizona zoo

The Los Angeles County Department of Health today announced that it is investigating two suspected avian flu illnesses in indoor pet cats that drank recalled raw milk, fueling more concerns about wider spread in other animals, which includes zoo animals infected in Arizona’s Maricopa County.

Also today, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed several more outbreaks in dairy cattle in California and in poultry flocks in three states. And two states reported rises in wild-bird detections.

Cats die after drinking recalled raw milk

In a statement, Los Angeles County health officials said the two cats developed symptoms after consuming milk from Raw Farms. Their symptoms included appetite loss, fever, and neurologic signs. Both died after their symptoms worsened.

Testing revealed influenza A, which is rare in cats. Officials said the cases are considered suspected H5 avian flu cases and that confirmation tests will be done. Officials noted that, in earlier US dairy farm outbreaks, cats were known to be infected after drinking raw milk from infected cows.

People exposed to the sick cats are under monitoring and have been offered antiviral prophylaxis (prevention).

When raw milk from Raw Farms was recalled following positive tests from product on retail shelves, officials urged people to avoid drinking raw milk or giving it to their pets.

We strongly encourage residents and their pets to avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products.

Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, LA County public health director, said, the cases are a reminder that the virus can cause severe disease in cats. “To avoid the spread of disease, including H5 bird flu, we strongly encourage residents and their pets to avoid raw dairy and undercooked meat products, limit contact with sick or dead animals, report sick or dead birds and keep pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds.”

Cheetah, mountain lion among zoo animal deaths

Maricopa County yesterday announced that it is working with state and federal partners to respond to an avian flu outbreak affecting a small number of animals at the Wildlife World Zoo near Phoenix. 

Tests at the Arizona Department of Agriculture showed that samples were likely positive for H5N1. Public health officials are working to identify staff and volunteers who likely had prolonged exposure to the animals. The people will be monitored and offered antiviral prophylaxis.

The zoo has isolated infected or potentially infected animals and stepped up its biosafety protocols.

Media reports said animal deaths include a cheetah, a mountain lion, swamp hen, an Indian goose, and a kookaburra. An infected white tiger appears to be improving after treatment.

Kristy Hayden, president of the zoo, said, “While we are deeply saddened to report the loss of a few cherished animals, we are grateful that the impact was limited thanks to our swift response, robust biosecurity protocols, and the invaluable support of Maricopa County Department of Public Health and state and federal agencies.”

Arizona recently reported two avian flu outbreaks in poultry, one at a commercial farm in Pinal County and the other in a backyard flock in Maricopa County.

More detections in cows, poultry, wild birds

In other animal developments, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today confirmed 58 more detections dairy cattle, all in California, raising the state’s total to 617 and the national total to 832 across 16 states. The outbreaks in California, the nation’s top-producing dairy state, have now affected nearly half of the state’s roughly 1,300 dairy farms.

Also, APHIS confirmed more outbreaks in poultry in three states, including at two commercial farms in Iowa, one a turkey producer in Palo Alto County that has 50,000 birds, and the other a layer farm in Sioux County that has 1.6 million birds.

The group also confirmed the virus at commercial farm in Oklahoma’s Adair County that has 40,000 birds and at a turkey facility in South Dakota’s Brule County.

Meanwhile, two states—Louisiana and Missouri—warned about rising numbers of avian flu in wild birds. 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said the fall migration has caused a resurgence in avian flu illnesses in waterfowl. It urged the public to avoid exposing pets to wild birds and to avoid handling sick or dead birds. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation said it is monitoring reports of sick and dead waterfowl across the state, noting that neighboring states Iowa and Kansas are seeing similar patterns. It also warned the public to avoid exposure to sick and dead birds, including keeping pets away from them.