More than 80 domestic cats have contracted bird flu since 2022, a situation that heightens concerns for public health, particularly as a small number of house cats are now showing symptoms after consuming raw diets or unpasteurized milk. Virologists warn that while the current H5N1 strain hasn’t adapted to spread easily among humans, the potential for zoonotic transmission exists, especially given the close contact many owners share with their pets.
Authorities emphasize caution, urging pet owners to reduce risks by avoiding raw food for their cats and limiting outdoor access. Recent cases have linked infected cats in Los Angeles County to contaminated raw milk, companies have begun revising safety protocols, and the FDA is reinforcing food safety guidelines in light of these developments.
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