Goleta, CA – Local authorities have reported the deaths of two domestic cats due to bird flu in Santa Barbara County, raising concerns over the transmission of the H5 virus to pets via raw and unpasteurized food sources. The unfortunate cases occurred in separate households where the cats were consistently fed a diet including raw milk, chicken, and eggs.
Sarah Aguilar, the director of county Animal Services, indicated that the exact path of transmission remains unclear, though the same feeding routine had been employed for several years without previous issue. This alarm follows previous incidents where herds of dairy cows infected with the H5N1 strain similarly led to infections among farm workers. Highlighting the potential for broader contamination, raw milk harboring H5N1 was detected on grocery shelves as recently as November.
The issue has taken on national significance as avian flu, particularly the H5N1 strain, has proliferated across the United States. In the last few years, cases have surged possibly due to migration patterns of wild birds, which are often carriers of the virus without exhibiting symptoms. Surveillance by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed H5N1 in various wild birds, from gulls in Santa Barbara to pigeons nationwide, signaling a widespread threat.
Cats have shown particular susceptibility to the H5N1 virus, as evidenced by the death of 20 large cats at a wildlife sanctuary in Washington State, where wild bird droppings were suspected as the contaminant source. Similarly, in Los Angeles County, four house cats succumbed to the H5 virus on December 24 after consuming recalled raw milk, and other cases are being investigated in relation to raw meat consumption.
Prompting further precaution, Los Angeles County health authorities recently announced a recall of ‘Northwest Naturals Turkey Recipe raw and frozen cat food’, which has been linked to an additional fatal case in Oregon. The food, distributed in California, carries use-by dates well into 2026.
In light of these events, health officials stress the risks posed by raw milk and uncooked meats. Not just to pets but also, potentially, to humans, particularly given the ongoing propagation of the bird flu virus among dairy cows. In response, Public health departments are actively disseminating guidance and have reassured the public that there is currently no evidence suggesting transmission of the bird flu from cats to humans or among humans themselves.
Residents concerned about symptoms or exposure to the virus can contact the county’s 24-hour disease control line for advice and reporting. Meanwhile, health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance in monitoring pet health and nutrition amidst these outbreaks.
In an effort to address misinformation, corrections have been issued regarding the susceptibility of wild birds to the virus, clarifying earlier reports and underscoring the seriousness with which this avian flu strain is affecting various species across ecosystems.