A California man’s efforts to keep his cats healthy ultimately backfired when his unpasteurized milk exposed them to bird flu, resulting in the deaths of two pets and a hospitalization. Joseph Journell, 56, lost his beloved tabby and tuxedo cats after feeding them raw milk from Raw Farm, whose dairy products were recalled due to the presence of the H5N1 virus.
Journell had been drinking the unpasteurized milk himself, believing it offered “better immunity and healing properties” than pasteurized milk. However, his cats’ exposure to the virus led to their deaths, while a third cat was hospitalized for a week before being treated with antiviral medications.
The incident has raised concerns among pet owners, with experts warning that unpasteurized milk can pose a risk of infection with bird flu and other germs. Federal and state health officials have issued warnings advising people not to drink raw milk and pet owners to avoid feeding unpasteurized products to their animals.
Journell’s case highlights the risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products, particularly in areas where there are outbreaks of bird flu among dairy cows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have previously reported that cats infected with raw milk from infected cows can develop neurological disease and die.
As the number of cat fatalities linked to bird flu continues to rise in California, pet owners are being advised to take precautions to protect their animals from infection. With nearly a dozen cats already lost to the virus, it is essential for pet owners to be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent exposure.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/two-cats-in-california-died-after-drinking-raw-milk-recalled-for-bird-flu-their-owner-says