The Los Angeles County Division of Well being at present introduced that it’s investigating two suspected avian flu sicknesses in indoor pet cats that drank recalled uncooked milk, fueling extra considerations about wider unfold in different animals, which incorporates zoo animals contaminated in Arizona’s Maricopa County.
Additionally at present, the US Division of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed a number of extra 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 consuming recalled uncooked milk
In a press release, Los Angeles County well being officers stated the 2 cats developed signs after consuming milk from Uncooked Farms. Their signs included urge for food loss, fever, and neurologic indicators. Each died after their signs worsened.
Testing revealed influenza A, which is uncommon in cats. Officers stated the circumstances are thought-about suspected H5 avian flu circumstances and that affirmation exams can be completed. Officers famous that, in earlier US dairy farm outbreaks, cats had been identified to be contaminated after consuming uncooked milk from contaminated cows.
Folks uncovered to the sick cats are beneath monitoring and have been provided antiviral prophylaxis (prevention).
When uncooked milk from Uncooked Farms was recalled following optimistic exams from product on retail cabinets, officers urged folks to keep away from consuming uncooked milk or giving it to their pets.
We strongly encourage residents and their pets to keep away from uncooked dairy and undercooked meat merchandise.
Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, LA County public well being director, stated, the circumstances are a reminder that the virus may cause extreme illness in cats. “To keep away from the unfold of illness, together with H5 fowl flu, we strongly encourage residents and their pets to keep away from uncooked dairy and undercooked meat merchandise, restrict contact with sick or lifeless animals, report sick or lifeless birds and maintain pets or poultry away from wild animals and birds.”
Cheetah, mountain lion amongst zoo animal deaths
Maricopa County yesterday introduced that it’s working with state and federal companions to answer an avian flu outbreak affecting a small variety of animals on the Wildlife World Zoo close to Phoenix.Â
Exams on the Arizona Division of Agriculture confirmed that samples had been possible optimistic for H5N1. Public well being officers are working to establish employees and volunteers who possible had extended publicity to the animals. The folks can be monitored and provided antiviral prophylaxis.
The zoo has remoted contaminated or doubtlessly contaminated animals and stepped up its biosafety protocols.
Media stories stated animal deaths embrace a cheetah, a mountain lion, swamp hen, an Indian goose, and a kookaburra. An contaminated white tiger seems to be bettering after remedy.
Kristy Hayden, president of the zoo, stated, “Whereas we’re deeply saddened to report the loss of some cherished animals, we’re grateful that the impression was restricted due to our swift response, strong biosecurity protocols, and the invaluable assist of Maricopa County Division of Public Well being and state and federal businesses.”
Arizona just lately reported two avian flu outbreaks in poultry, one at a industrial farm in Pinal County and the opposite in a yard flock in Maricopa County.
Extra detections in cows, poultry, wild birds
In different animal developments, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Well being Inspection Service (APHIS) at present confirmed 58 extra detections dairy cattle, all in California, elevating the state’s complete to 617 and the nationwide complete to 832 throughout 16 states. The outbreaks in California, the nation’s top-producing dairy state, have now affected almost half of the state’s roughly 1,300 dairy farms.
Additionally, APHIS confirmed extra outbreaks in poultry in three states, together with at two industrial farms in Iowa, one a turkey producer in Palo Alto County that has 50,000 birds, and the opposite a layer farm in Sioux County that has 1.6 million birds.
The group additionally confirmed the virus at industrial farm in Oklahoma’s Adair County that has 40,000 birds and at a turkey facility in South Dakota’s Brule County.
In the meantime, two states—Louisiana and Missouri—warned about rising numbers of avian flu in wild birds.Â
The Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries stated the autumn migration has brought on a resurgence in avian flu sicknesses in waterfowl. It urged the general public to keep away from exposing pets to wild birds and to keep away from dealing with sick or lifeless birds.Â
The Missouri Division of Conservation stated it’s monitoring stories of sick and lifeless waterfowl throughout the state, noting that neighboring states Iowa and Kansas are seeing comparable patterns. It additionally warned the general public to keep away from publicity to sick and lifeless birds, together with protecting pets away from them.
