California Cats' Deaths Linked to Bird Flu in Contaminated Raw Milk

Two cats died and a third was severely injured after consuming unpasteurized milk recalled for bird flu contamination, highlighting health risks for pets and humans.

• Joseph Journell, a San Bernardino resident, lost two of his cats and spent over $12,000 treating a third after they consumed raw milk later recalled for bird flu contamination.
• The milk, produced by Raw Farm in Fresno, was pulled from shelves in December after health officials detected the H5N1 virus in some lots.
• Experts confirmed the cats contracted the bird flu virus, with one surviving cat suffering severe neurological damage including blindness and paralysis.
• Nearly a dozen cats in California have died since December from consuming raw milk or pet food contaminated with bird flu, following a major outbreak in U.S. dairy herds.
• Health officials urge against consuming or feeding pets unpasteurized products, emphasizing the risks of bird flu and other pathogens in raw milk and raw meat.

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