New York — Health officials confirmed the first severe illness caused by H5N1 bird flu in the United States this week. A patient from Louisiana experienced serious symptoms after direct contact with sick and deceased birds found within their backyard flocks, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the first known case of severe illness linked to H5N1 since the virus began circulating earlier this year.
The CDC announced the Louisiana infection on Wednesday, stating it was consistent with previously reported cases of the disease, which had been mild. Traditionally, those infected have been farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows. With over 60 bird flu infections recorded this year, most of them—over half—occurred in California, highlighting the growing concern surrounding the H5N1 strain.
While only mild cases had been documented previously, two recent cases—an adult from Missouri and a child from California—showed officials puzzled about the source of their infections, as they, too, exhibited no clear links to typical exposure pathways.
Despite the alarming confirmation of this severe human case, health officials assert the risk of H5N1 to the general public remains low. "There’s been no documented spread of the virus from person to person," stressed CDC officials.
Meanwhile, another troubling aspect of the H5N1 situation emerged with reports of the virus impacting domestic animals, particularly cats. Experts announced three cases of infected cats from the same household in Los Angeles County. These felines showed serious symptoms consistent with H5N1 after consuming raw milk from Raw Farm LLC dairies, which had been previously recalled.
Sadly, two of the three infected cats died earlier this month. While they could not be tested for H5N1 before their demise, experts suspect the virus was likely the cause of their deaths. The third cat has tested positive for influenza A, commonly associated with seasonal flu but exhibiting unusual characteristics as this was not previously observed without prior exposure to infected birds.
Health officials are investigating the route of transmission, with raw meat being considered as another potential source as they await results from additional tests. "The risk of H5 bird flu remains low in Los Angeles County, but these confirmed cases of the virus in pet cats are a reminder..." stated Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Ferrer urged local residents to avoid consuming raw dairy products and undercooked meats, limit their contact with sick or dead animals, report any sick birds, and keep their pets or poultry at distance from wild birds and other animals.
The three sick cats were all kept indoors and exhibited respiratory illnesses with no known direct exposure to the recalled dairy. Individuals who had direct contact with them are currently being monitored for potential flu symptoms, and antiviral medications have been offered as precautionary measures.
Further investigation revealed past reports of H5N1 transmission from cats to humans and highlighted the overall susceptibility of felines to the infection. Experts noted various similar incidents across the globe, including clusters of cat deaths observed where H5N1 bird flu outbreaks occurred.
Earlier this year, at one Texas dairy farm, 12 barn cats succumbed after drinking infected raw milk. The situation drew attention to the fragility of domestic animals when pet food or raw products become contaminated.
Examples of H5N1 impact are not isolated to just domestic pets. Larger cats like lions, tigers, and even panthers have also perished after consuming contaminated meat. Wild California bobcats and mountain lions have similarly reported cases of H5N1, stirring concerns for wildlife health as well.
Veterinary experts outlined symptoms of H5N1 infections in cats, including labored breathing, bloody diarrhea, and neurological issues such as loss of motor control and seizures. These severe manifestations can lead to rapid deterioration and death, with many cases reported tragically ending quite quickly.
These recent developments serve as a stark reminder to the public about the significance of health safety measures related to animal contact and consumption of raw products. Health and animal safety officials are keeping vigilant as they monitor the situation, reiteratively working to mitigate risks to both human and animal populations alike.
