FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Two cats in Los Angeles County have died from possibly obtaining the H5 Bird Flu after consuming recalled raw milk from a Fresno-based dairy company, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Thursday. According to Los Angeles County public health officials, they are investigating two possible cases of H5 bird flu in cats that consumed recalled raw milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm, LLC. There was a voluntary recall after the California Department of Public Health said bird flu was detected in a retail sample of raw milk in November. The company, Raw Farm LLC., issued a voluntary recall for quart and half-gallon-sized milk products produced on Nov. 9 with an expiration date of Nov. 27 with a lot ID of 20241109. At the time of the voluntary recall, health officials stated that there were no illnesses reported. Los Angeles County public health officials say the cats that were infected were indoor cats and consumed the raw milk linked to the recall of raw milk and cream products. According to public health officials, the infected cats died after severe worsening of their illness and subsequently tested positive for Influenza A, which is a rare result in cats. Health officials say that the people who had direct contact with the cats are monitoring for symptoms and have been offered antiviral prophylaxis. There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to these cats yet identified, health officials said. Health officials add human cases of bird flu are rare and the risk to residents remains low, but also mention that this detection of H5 bird flu in cats who consumed raw milk underscores the importance of being proactive about preventing ongoing transmission of the virus. In December, the USDA announced nationwide milk testing to monitor the H5N1 bird flu in the country's milk supplies and dairy herds, specifically requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with the USDA for testing. In a previous article, YourCentralValley.com spoke with Raw Farm LLC's CEO, Mark McAfee about the recall. He said that the PCR, the test that they use to test the virus, can only detect the dead virus and all that was found in the company's milk was the dead virus. He also said that "there is no evidence that [raw milk has] caused illness in people.” Cats may be exposed to H5 bird flu by consuming infected birds or other animals, being in an environment contaminated with the virus, and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows, according to health officials. Los Angeles County health officials say this specific case is an ongoing investigation.