Two cats have died after contracting bird flu in Santa Barbara County, according to the Public Health Department. The cats developed severe neurological illness after testing positive for the flu. Health officials are investigating the source of the infections.
Cats may be exposed to bird flu by consuming infected birds or other animals, being in environments contaminated with the virus, and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows. However, there have been no known cases of the virus being transmitted from cats to humans.
According to health officials, people who come into close contact with wild birds and their feces, infected cats, infected poultry, or with infected dairy cattle or their milk, are at a higher risk of exposure. To reduce this risk, officials recommend avoiding raw dairy and undercooked meat products, limiting contact with sick animals, reporting sick or dead birds, protecting pets or poultry, and getting a seasonal flu vaccine.
If you suspect an animal has contracted bird flu, report it to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Source: https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/2-cats-test-positive-for-bird-flu-in-santa-barbara-county