Two Orange County cats have been diagnosed with presumptive HPAI influenza A (H5N1). These animals reportedly consumed raw pet food sold at a farmers’ market. No transmission to humans has been identified at this time.
Veterinary providers should consider HPAI infection when evaluating ill pets, particularly cats, with a history of consumption of raw milk or raw food. Ill cats can have influenza testing performed by commercial veterinary diagnostic labs. For animals that die and are suspected of being infected with HPAI, the HCA Communicable Disease Control Division should be contacted at (714) 834-8180; we
can arrange for postmortem testing of animal brains, at the HCA’s Public Health Laboratory. More info...
