A California man, Joseph Journell, is mourning the loss of his two beloved cats after they consumed raw milk recalled for potential bird flu contamination. The tragic incident has highlighted the risks involved with unpasteurized products amid an ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 virus.

Journell's pets, a 14-year-old tabby named Alexander and a 4-year-old tuxedo cat named Tuxsie, tragically died in late November. A third cat, Big Boy, was hospitalized for a week and subsequently diagnosed with the H5N1 virus after drinking the same contaminated milk. “It’s horrible when you realize that you’re the one that actually gave them the milk that killed them,” said Journell, expressing his heartbreak in an interview.

The cats had consumed unpasteurized milk from Raw Farm, whose products were pulled from California shelves in December following health investigations that confirmed the presence of the virus in their milk. Notably, the cats were kept indoors and had no contact with potentially infected poultry, leading to questions about where they could have contracted the virus.

Journell’s motivations for providing his cats with the raw milk stemmed from a belief in its health benefits. “I was trying to make him healthier and make him live longer,” he explained, emphasizing his intention to improve Alexander's health, which had been declining. Unfortunately, Alexander died on Thanksgiving Day, with Tuxsie passing away shortly thereafter.

Currently, Big Boy is recovering but suffers severe effects from the illness, having returned home blind and unable to use his back legs. Journell has sought compensation from Raw Farm, claiming over $12,000 in medical expenses, as he fights to cope with the emotional trauma of losing his pets.

The owner of Raw Farm, Mark McAfee, contested the allegations, arguing that the timing of the illnesses suggests the virus could not have emerged days after bottling. However, Richard Webby, an influenza expert, indicated that the survival of the virus can vary based on the specific conditions of different milk batches.

Authorities have raised significant alarms regarding the consumption of raw dairy products, warning both humans and animals to avoid unpasteurized milk due to serious health risks. “Cats should not be fed any products from affected farms if those products have not been thoroughly cooked or pasteurized to kill the virus,” the FDA has cautioned.

In the wake of this disturbing trend, where nearly a dozen cats have died in California after consuming contaminated raw milk or pet food, health officials strongly recommend adhering to guidelines set forth by the CDC and other health authorities.

After falling ill himself post-exposure to the illness, Journell sought medical assistance but was not tested for bird flu, raising concerns about the available protocols and testing capabilities. Though he's physically recovered, he faces enduring emotional challenges. Despite the ordeal, Journell remains conflicted about his beliefs in raw milk’s benefits, stating, “Not right now, and not in the foreseeable future.”

For more on this tragic story, visit the complete articles on AP News and The Independent.