Bird flu ‘evolving’ as ‘cats go blind or die’ after drinking infected cow’s milk

There is growing unease as bird flu is reportedly “evolving”, with cases of “cats going blind or dying” after swallowing infected cow’s milk. More than two dozen farm cats in Texas have been struck down by the H5N1 strain, leading to blindness in some and the death of more than half of the affected animals.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a range of serious symptoms that have afflicted cats, including mental depression, stiffness, loss of coordination, circling and excess mucus in the eyes and nose. Post-mortem examinations revealed that the virus had invaded their lungs, brains, hearts and eyes, with some felines succumbing just 48 hours after falling ill.

Despite these alarming developments, the CDC states that the risk of humans contracting bird flu remains low, although it cannot be completely excluded.

The CDC warned: “Although it is unlikely that people will become infected with the bird flu virus through contact with an infected feral, stray, feral, or domestic cat, it is possible – especially if there is prolonged, unprotected exposure to the animal.” They added: “Sick animals can transmit the flu virus to people through saliva, feces or excrement and other bodily fluids,” reports the Daily Star.

In addition to the cats, six cows were also impacted, with three slaughtered and another trio succumbing to the disease on the same Texas farm. Tests confirmed that all of the animals were infected with the same strain of H5N1 bird flu that recently killed a dolphin in Florida.

The US is witnessing a rise in bird flu cases among cows and chickens, with cattle on 29 farms in eight states falling victim to the virus, according to CDC reports. A new federal mandate now requires dairy cattle transported between states to be tested for avian influenza.

This measure is part of a broader initiative to monitor and contain the escalation of the outbreak. Under the new regulation, all dairy cows must be tested for the virus and receive a clean bill of health before they can be transported across state borders.

Michael Watson of the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service believes this rule will help experts understand virus transmission patterns. “We believe we can do tens of thousands of tests a day,” Watson said.

Previously, testing was only done voluntarily and only on symptomatic cows. The U.S. Department of Agriculture first detected bird flu in dairy herds in March, and it has since been found in approximately three dozen herds in eight different states.

The ongoing serious bird flu epidemic, spread by wild birds, is intensifying. The virus has led to the death or culling of more than 90 million birds in U.S. commercial flocks. Since the outbreak began, two agricultural workers in the US have contracted bird flu. Health authorities have tested 23 people for bird flu and are currently monitoring 44 individuals who were exposed to infected animals.

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