A cluster of cats on a Texas dairy farm died after drinking raw milk from dairy cows affected with bird flu, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The felines developed “fatal systemic influenza infection” after drinking the unpasteurized colostrum and milk from cows that tested positive for the virus.

Initally, the cats developed signs of sickness that included “a depressed mental state, stiff body movements, ataxia (impaired coordination), blindness, circling and copious oculonasal discharge,” the report said.

AMID BIRD FLU SPREAD, EXPERTS REVEAL IF IT’S SAFE TO DRINK MILK: ‘INDIRECT CONCERN’

The felines also showed neurological effects during exams.

Of some 24 cats that were given the raw milk from the diseased cows, around half of them died between March 19 and March 20, said the report, which was released on Monday.

Most cats became sick within two or three days after exposure.

Tissue samples from two of the deceased cats tested positive for HPAI H5N1 virus on March 21, the CDC noted.

While exposure to dead wild birds “cannot be completely ruled out” as a source of the virus, the report stated that milk and colostrum are a “likely route of exposure.”

BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND IN GROCERY STORE MILK, BUT NO RISK TO CUSTOMERS, FDA SAYS

This is based on “the known consumption of unpasteurized milk and colostrum from infected cows,” as well as the high amount of “virus nucleic acid” within the milk.

“The death of the cats suggests that avian flu can cause illness due to ingestion,” said Edward Liu, M.D., chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The felines in Texas (not pictured) developed “fatal systemic influenza infection” after drinking the unpasteurized colostrum and milk from cows that tested positive for the virus. (iStock)

“This is interesting, as many respiratory viruses are optimized for infection via mucous membranes, like the nose and mouth.”

The report reinforced the need to ingest pasteurized milk exclusively, Liu said.  

“I can think of no reason to drink raw milk.”

Pasteurization eliminates risk, experts say

Before milk can be sold commercially, government regulations require it to be pasteurized.

During the pasteurization process, raw milk is heated to a certain temperature for a brief period of time and is then chilled again, according to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) website.

This process kills any pathogens and ensures that milk is safe to drink.

“I can think of no reason to drink raw milk.”

“In the U.S., commercial intrastate sold milk is required to be pasteurized,” Dr. Scott Pegan, professor of biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside and a biochemist for the United States Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, told Fox News Digital last week.

“This process is geared to kill viruses like H5N1 and other bacteria that can pose a threat to human health.”

The cats (not pictured) initially developed signs of sickness that included “a depressed mental state, stiff body movements, ataxia (impaired coordination), blindness, circling and copious oculonasal discharge,” the CDC report said. (iStock)

“Milk that has been pasteurized is safe and there is no current reason to avoid it or other pasteurized milk products,” Pegan went on. 

“However, there is a substantial risk of consuming unpasteurized milk and products of that milk.”

Even after viruses and bacteria have been killed in pasteurized milk, remnants can remain in the milk, he said — but they are not dangerous.

The FDA’s recommendations

Last week, the FDA restated its “long-standing recommendation” that consumers avoid drinking raw milk that has not been pasteurized. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The agency also recommended that companies refrain from manufacturing or selling raw milk or raw milk products made with milk from cows that tested positive for bird flu, were exposed to the virus or showed symptoms of illness.

“Milk that has been pasteurized is safe and there is no current reason to avoid it or other pasteurized milk products,” an expert said. (iStock)

The FDA also urged producers to “take precautions” when discarding milk from affected cows, “so that the discarded milk does not become a source of further spread.”

So far, only one person is confirmed to have contracted the virus after exposure to infected cows, the FDA said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The CDC says the risk to the general public remains low,” the agency said.

“The FDA and USDA continue to indicate that, based on the information we currently have, our commercial milk supply is safe.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for additional comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Seeing red could spike your heart disease risk, experts are warning.

Feeling angry for as little as eight minutes a day could raise your chances of experiencing a cardiac event, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA).

The study included 280 healthy young adults with no history of heart disease, stroke, serious mental health conditions or other chronic illnesses, according to an AHA press release.

HEART HEALTH RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 50

The participants first spent 30 minutes in a relaxed state, while doctors gauged their blood pressure, blood vessel health and other cardiac measurements.

Next, the participants were randomly assigned eight-minute tasks, while the heart-related measurements were tracked.

One group was told to think about anger-inducing experiences.

A second group was asked to recall memories that triggered anxiety.

ANGER CAN MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS: ‘SHARPENED FOCUS’

A third group was tasked with reading passages that made them feel sad — and the final group was told to simply count out loud to achieve a neutral mindset.

Among those who were told to recall anger-inducing memories, their blood vessel dilation was reduced by 50% within 40 minutes of the task — which put them at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.

The restricted dilation was temporary, but experts expressed concern that a longer duration of anger could have more adverse effects.

“Anger likely increases cortisol levels, which, in turn, raises blood pressure and could likely decrease vascular dilation,” an expert warned. (iStock)

“We showed that if you get angry once, it impairs your ability to dilate,” said lead study author Dr. Daichi Shimbo, a cardiologist and co-director of the hypertension center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, in the release.

“But what if you get angry 10,000 times over a lifetime? This chronic insult to your arteries may eventually lead to permanent damage.”

Anxiety and sadness did not have this same effect.

FORGIVENESS COULD LEAD TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH, HARVARD STUDY REVEALS

Elizabeth Sharp, M.D., founder and director of Health Meets Wellness in New York, New York, was not involved in the study, but said the results were “not particularly surprising.”

“Anger likely increases cortisol levels, which, in turn, raises blood pressure and could likely decrease vascular dilation,” she told Fox News Digital.

“This study showed that anger can cause acute, measurable changes in blood vessel function, which could be detrimental to cardiovascular health in the long run,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“It’s a well-known adage that ‘stress is a killer,’ and there are numerous physiological explanations for this,” she went on. 

“However, I would argue that it’s more about chronic stress, or that a stress response might reveal an underlying condition, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), which was already present.”

“There are three major ways to deal with anger: express it, suppress it or calm it.”

Dr. Jim Liu, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, also offered external input on the study.

“Psychosocial factors play an important role in cardiovascular disease, because the body’s nervous system provides a lot of input in regulating the heart and blood vessels,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“This study showed that anger can cause acute, measurable changes in blood vessel function, which could be detrimental to cardiovascular health in the long run.” 

People can reduce their heart attack risk by finding healthy ways to manage anger, experts say. (iStock)

The findings serve as a reminder that there are many factors that influence heart health, Liu noted. 

“We all know about the traditional risk factors, such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure — and with this study, perhaps there should also be an increased emphasis on mental health and psychosocial factors.”

7 smart strategies to cope with anger

People can reduce their heart attack risk by finding healthy ways to manage anger, experts say.

“There are three major ways to deal with anger — express it, suppress it or calm it,” said Dr. Gary Small, chair of the psychiatry department at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

5 WOMEN’S HEALTH TIPS TO PREVENT AND DETECT STROKES, ACCORDING TO CARDIOLOGISTS

“When we suppress our anger, we hold it in and force ourselves to focus on something — often positive thoughts — to distract us,” he went on. 

“A potential pitfall of anger suppression is that it festers and can elevate blood pressure and lead to depression.”

Research has shown that daily meditation will improve mood and cognitive function, according to a cardiologist. (iStock)

Dr. Small shared the following seven strategies to help people cope with anger.

1. Recognize your triggers

Try to develop an awareness of what triggers angry feelings, Small advised.

“For some people, being ignored ticks them off, while others have difficulty accepting criticism,” he told Fox News Digital.

“When you identify what sets you off, you will be better equipped to gain control of your anger.”

2. Learn to relax

Research has shown that daily meditation will improve mood and cognitive function, according to Small.

“This strategy involves regulating our behavior when we are angry by controlling our internal physiological responses like muscle tension and breathing,” the doctor said.

DAILY MARIJUANA SMOKERS FACE HIGHER RISK OF HEART ATTACK, STROKE, SAYS AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION STUDY

“Recognizing your triggers gives you a heads-up of when to calm yourself and relax through deep, slow breathing, conjuring up serene mental imagery, and meditation.”

3. Think twice before erupting

“Because of the negative health and social effects of uncontrolled expressions of rage, try to avoid outbursts,” Small advised. 

“Rather than exploding, take a pause and recall what triggered your aggression.”

4. Get physical

Engaging in regular physical exercise — maybe even hitting a punching bag at the gym — can help reduce anger-induced stress, Small said.

Engaging in regular physical exercise can help reduce anger-induced stress, a doctor said. (iStock)

5. Alter your thinking

“If you find yourself in a fit of rage, you may not be thinking clearly, because your brain’s amygdala (emotional control center) overtakes its frontal lobe (reasoning center),” Small said. 

Attempt to replace your angry thoughts with rational ones, the doctor suggested.  

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“Also keep in mind that your anger is not going to solve the problem or frustration at hand,” he added.

6. Learn to communicate your needs

Taking an anger management class can help those who tend to “fly off the handle,” Small said, while assertiveness training can help people who suppress their anger learn to communicate their needs to others.

Taking an anger management class can help those who tend to “fly off the handle,” a cardiologist said. (iStock)

7. Consider professional help

“Anger issues may reflect other underlying mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression,” Small noted.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Seeing a mental health professional can help people identify underlying problems and cope with anger in a more constructive way.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for additional comment on their findings.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.