A man from California, who tragically lost his two cats after they drank raw milk that was later recalled due to bird flu concerns, expressed his sorrow over the unintended consequence of his efforts to keep his pets healthy. Joseph Journell, 56, from San Bernardino, reflected on the horror of realizing he had unwittingly given his pets the fatal drink.

In late November, Journell’s aging tabby, Alexander, aged 14, and his 4-year-old tuxedo cat, Tuxsie, both died. A third cat, Big Boy, also 4 years old, was taken to the hospital where he spent a week before tests confirmed he had contracted the H5N1 bird flu virus. Journell explained that the cats consumed unpasteurized milk from a batch recalled by Raw Farm, a dairy company in Fresno. These products were removed from California stores in December following health officials’ discovery of the virus in the milk. The cats had no exposure to potentially infected birds and were fed conventional cat food, not raw alternatives.

Journell had been drinking the Raw Farm milk himself for months, believing it possessed “better immunity and healing properties” compared to pasteurized milk. He hoped the milk would benefit Alexander, who had been losing weight. “I was trying to make him healthier and make him live longer,” Journell stated. However, his hopes were dashed when Alexander passed away on Thanksgiving Day, with Tuxsie following just two days later.

Big Boy’s situation was serious enough to require hospitalization, where he was treated with antiviral medication. The veterinary staff collected urine samples that later tested positive for H5N1 at laboratories affiliated with the U.S. Agriculture Department and Cornell University. According to Journell, Big Boy returned home with significant health issues, being blind and unable to use his back legs, although he is in recovery. A fourth cat, Cleo, who did not consume the milk, remained healthy.

Seeking compensation for the over $12,000 spent on veterinary care, Journell has turned to food safety attorney Ilana Korchia for help in his claim against Raw Farm owner Mark McAfee. In response, McAfee refuted the claim that the virus could cause illness in animals days after the milk was bottled, referencing some initial studies. However, Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, noted that the longevity of the flu virus can differ significantly among different milk batches, and previous research has shown that cats that ingested raw milk from infected cows had developed neurological diseases and died. “I think the poor cats are the best indicator!” Webby remarked in an email.

Since early December, nearly a dozen cats in California have died after consuming raw milk or raw pet food contaminated with bird flu. This surge in infections has coincided with a significant outbreak of the virus in dairy cows, impacting over 900 dairy herds across 16 states, with approximately 80% of those herds located in California.

Health officials have issued warnings against drinking raw milk due to the risk of bird flu and various other infections. Additionally, they cautioned pet owners to refrain from feeding unpasteurized milk and raw meat to their animals. “Cats should not be fed any products from affected farms if those products have not been thoroughly cooked or pasteurized to eliminate the virus,” the FDA advised last month.

Following the distressing episode with his cats, Journell reported feeling unwell himself and sought treatment at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Fontana, California. Despite his known exposure to the virus, he wasn’t tested for bird flu due to the unavailability of such tests at that time. A spokesperson for Kaiser did not comment on his specific case but stated that they are adhering to CDC guidelines for bird flu screenings.

Physically, Journell has healed, but he continues to experience emotional pain from the loss of his pets. Despite this traumatic experience, he still believes in the health benefits of raw milk. However, he has no plans to consume it in the near future. “Not right now,” he confirmed, “And not in the foreseeable future.”