Cat owners are advised to avoid feeding pets raw dairy or meat after two indoor-only cats in Michigan died from bird flu (H5N1), according to the CDC. Both cats lived on dairy farms and tested positive for H5N1, a strain linked to infected cattle. Neither cat had direct contact with birds or drank raw milk, but their owners worked with H5N1-positive cows without protective gear. The CDC warns that unpasteurized milk from infected animals can spread the virus. Workers are urged to remove contaminated clothing and footwear before entering homes. Symptoms in cats include neurological issues (seizures, paralysis) and respiratory problems. Pet owners should consult a vet immediately if signs appear. Both cases occurred in May 2024; other household pets remained uninfected.
Source: https://wwmt.com/news/local/bird-flu-avian-influenza-kills-cats-michigan-dairy-farmers-workers-precautions-raw-meat-diets-warning-unpasteurized-milk-agriculture-cdc-h5n1-virus-veterinary-diagnostic-laboratory-vet-medicine