More than half of the domestic cats on a Texas dairy farm that were fed unpasteurized milk from cows infected with bird flu became sick and died, according to a preliminary report released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ).
O report focused on the first discoveries in the CDC’s investigation into the spread of bird flu in the livestock industry this year.
Scientists reported that in mid-March, about 24 cats were fed raw milk on a Texas farm before the cows became ill. A day after the cows showed visible signs of illness, the cats also became ill, and a day or two later, more than half of the cats fell ill and died.
In post-mortem examinations of two of the dead cats, scientists observed signs of “depressed mental state, rigid body movements, ataxia, blindness, circular movements and copious oculonasal discharge.” Neurological examinations of the affected cats also showed “absence of threat reflexes and pupillary responses to light with a weak blink response,” the scientists wrote.
Scientists said the new findings raise concerns about possible interspecies and mammalian transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1). The new report differs from previous studies that suggested cows were not very susceptible to infection. On the contrary, the cattle show signs of apparent systemic disease, reduced milk production and “abundant excretion of viruses in milk”.
“The magnitude of this finding is further emphasized by the high mortality rate (≈50%) of cats in agricultural facilities that were fed raw colostrum and milk from affected cows,” the scientists wrote.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) first entered the country in late 2021, and cattle infections have recently rocked the industry. Infections have been observed in cattle on farms in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho and Ohio, where infected cows were transported, suggesting cow-to-cow transmission.
The first human case associated with infections in cattle and poultry populations was reported last month. A worker at a commercial dairy farm in Texas developed conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, on March 27 and later tested positive for HPAI, the CDC said.
The patient reported no other symptoms and was not hospitalized. The person received antiviral treatment and is recovering, and the patient’s family members have not become sick, the CDC said.
“No additional cases of human infection with HPAI A (H5N1) virus associated with current infections in dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and no human-to-human transmission of HPAI A (H5N1) virus have been identified,” the CDC said.
The CDC said the risk remains low, but recommended that people with jobs or recreational activities that could expose them to infected birds, livestock or other animals are at greater risk and should take precautions.
Historically, the virus has proven deadly, killing more than 50 percent of its human victims between 2003 and 2016. The current outbreak has spread and affects 82 million birds in 48 states, the worst bird flu outbreak in U.S. history. .
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
