Tragic Loss in San Bernardino

A California man, Joseph Journell, is mourning the tragic loss of his two cherished cats after they ingested raw milk linked to a bird flu outbreak. The devastating twist of fate has highlighted the unforeseen dangers associated with unpasteurized dairy products.

The Heartbreaking Outcome

Journell, 56, from San Bernardino, never anticipated that his attempt to provide the best for his pets would lead to such heartbreaking outcomes. "It’s horrible when you realize that you’re the one that actually gave them the milk that killed them," he lamented.

In late November, Journell lost his 14-year-old tabby, Alexander, and Tuxsie, a 4-year-old tuxedo cat. A third cat, Big Boy, aged 4, suffered severely and required hospitalization for a week after testing positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus. The three cats had consumed unpasteurized milk from Raw Farm, a Fresno-based dairy company that conducted a recall in December due to the detection of the virus in their products.

A Well-Intentioned Choice

Despite his belief that raw milk could enhance his pets' health, Journell's intentions inadvertently led to tragedy. His previous experiences with Raw Farm milk, which he believed offered "better immunity and healing properties," motivated him to try it with Alexander, who had been losing weight.

Health Crisis

Tragically, Alexander died on Thanksgiving Day, with Tuxsie passing just two days later. Big Boy, while initially saved from a similar fate, returned home after his hospitalization with severe complications, including blindness and the inability to use his back legs. Fortunately, he is now on the road to recovery, and Journell's other cat, Cleo, was spared as she did not consume the milk.

Seeking Accountability

In an effort to seek accountability, Journell has requested that Raw Farm owner, Mark McAfee, reimburse him for over $12,000 in veterinary expenses incurred during this ordeal, as stated by Seattle food safety attorney Ilana Korchia, who is representing him.

However, McAfee contests the claim, suggesting that there is little evidence to support the idea that the virus could survive in the milk long enough to affect animals after bottling. Yet, experts like Richard Webby, a noted influenza specialist, argue that the virus can indeed survive in various lots of milk, cautioning that pets should not consume any products from infected farms unless they are properly treated to eliminate the virus.

A Wider Concern

Alarmingly, Journell's case is not isolated. Nearly a dozen cats have reportedly died in California since December due to consuming raw milk or raw pet food that harbored the bird flu virus. A massive outbreak has affected over 900 dairy herds across 16 states, with California being the most severely impacted.

Health Warnings

Health officials have been vocal in their warnings against the consumption of raw milk due to the potential for transmission of bird flu along with other pathogens. Furthermore, pet owners are urged to avoid feeding their pets unpasteurized milk or raw diets altogether. The FDA recently reiterated that these products should not be given to pets unless they have been thoroughly cooked or pasteurized.

Personal Impact

After witnessing the illness and subsequent loss of his pets, Journell himself fell ill and sought medical assistance, only to discover that testing for bird flu was unavailable. Although he has physically recovered, the emotional scars of this incident remain. Despite everything, Journell still has faith in the purported health benefits of raw milk but declared, "Not right now, and not in the foreseeable future," regarding his plans to consume it again.

Conclusion

This tragic situation serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with raw dairy products and the importance of ensuring the safety of our beloved pets.