{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A cluster of cats on a Texas dairy farm died after ingesting uncooked milk from dairy cows affected with chicken flu, in response to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The felines developed “deadly systemic influenza an infection” after ingesting the unpasteurized colostrum and milk from cows that examined constructive for the virus.
Initally, the cats developed indicators of illness that included “a depressed psychological state, stiff physique actions, ataxia (impaired coordination), blindness, circling and copious oculonasal discharge,” the report stated.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} AMID BIRD FLU SPREAD, EXPERTS REVEAL IF IT’S SAFE TO DRINK MILK: ‘INDIRECT CONCERN’
The felines additionally confirmed neurological results throughout exams.
Of some 24 cats that got the uncooked milk from the diseased cows, round half of them died between March 19 and March 20, stated the report, which was launched on Monday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} A cluster of cats on a Texas dairy farm (not pictured) died after ingesting uncooked milk from dairy cows affected by chicken flu, in response to a CDC report. (iStock)
Most cats grew to become sick inside two or three days after publicity.
Tissue samples from two of the deceased cats examined constructive for HPAI H5N1 virus on March 21, the CDC famous.
While publicity to lifeless wild birds “can’t be utterly dominated out” as a supply of the virus, the report acknowledged that milk and colostrum are a “probably route of publicity.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND IN GROCERY STORE MILK, BUT NO RISK TO CUSTOMERS, FDA SAYS
This relies on “the identified consumption of unpasteurized milk and colostrum from contaminated cows,” in addition to the excessive quantity of “virus nucleic acid” inside the milk.
“The demise of the cats means that avian flu may cause sickness as a result of ingestion,” stated Edward Liu, M.D., chief of infectious illnesses at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, in a press release to Fox News Digital.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} The felines in Texas (not pictured) developed “deadly systemic influenza an infection” after ingesting the unpasteurized colostrum and milk from cows that examined constructive for the virus. (iStock)
“This is attention-grabbing, as many respiratory viruses are optimized for an infection through mucous membranes, just like the nostril and mouth.”
The report strengthened the necessity to ingest pasteurized milk solely, Liu stated.
“I can consider no motive to drink uncooked milk.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} Pasteurization eliminates threat, consultants say
Before milk might be offered commercially, authorities laws require it to be pasteurized.
During the pasteurization course of, uncooked milk is heated to a sure temperature for a short time period and is then chilled once more, in response to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) web site.
This course of kills any pathogens and ensures that milk is secure to drink.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} “I can consider no motive to drink uncooked milk.”
“In the U.S., industrial intrastate offered milk is required to be pasteurized,” Dr. Scott Pegan, professor of biomedical sciences on the University of California, Riverside and a biochemist for the United States Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, advised Fox News Digital final week.
“This course of is geared to kill viruses like H5N1 and different micro organism that may pose a menace to human well being.”
The cats (not pictured) initially developed indicators of illness that included “a depressed psychological state, stiff physique actions, ataxia (impaired coordination), blindness, circling and copious oculonasal discharge,” the CDC report stated. (iStock)
“Milk that has been pasteurized is secure and there’s no present motive to keep away from it or different pasteurized milk merchandise,” Pegan went on.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} “However, there’s a substantial threat of consuming unpasteurized milk and merchandise of that milk.”
Even after viruses and micro organism have been killed in pasteurized milk, remnants can stay within the milk, he stated — however they aren’t harmful.
The FDA’s suggestions
Last week, the FDA restated its “long-standing suggestion” that customers keep away from ingesting uncooked milk that has not been pasteurized.
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The company additionally beneficial that firms chorus from manufacturing or promoting uncooked milk or uncooked milk merchandise made with milk from cows that examined constructive for chicken flu, have been uncovered to the virus or confirmed signs of sickness.
“Milk that has been pasteurized is secure and there’s no present motive to keep away from it or different pasteurized milk merchandise,” an professional stated. (iStock)
The FDA additionally urged producers to “take precautions” when discarding milk from affected cows, “in order that the discarded milk doesn’t turn out to be a supply of additional unfold.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} So far, just one person is confirmed to have contracted the virus after publicity to contaminated cows, the FDA stated.
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“The CDC says the chance to most people stays low,” the company stated.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}} “The FDA and USDA proceed to point that, based mostly on the knowledge we at the moment have, our industrial milk provide is secure.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for added remark.
For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being.
