The last time I reported on bird flu (aka H5N1 or ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’/HPAI), it had sicked big cats at a Washington State sanctuary, killing 20 of the animals.
While symptoms of bird flu in humans remain mild among those without pre-existing conditions, other species are hit harder…especially those that consume infected birds or the foods made from them.
Reports have now come out that house cats consuming specialty pet food products are contracting severe diseases.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture reports that house cats in Washington County contracted bird flu and died after eating Northwest Naturals’ raw frozen pet food.
State veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said the agriculture department is confident the cat contracted the virus by eating the raw pet food.“This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment,” Scholz said in a statement.The food tested positive for an H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, and tests showed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat, according to Scholz.The Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring the household members who had contact with the cat for potential flu symptoms. So far, no human cases have been linked to the infected cat.
Morasch Meats of Portland organized a voluntary recall of the products.
A Monarch Raw Pet Food sold at several farmers’ markets in California contained traces of the HPAI virus after five cats in one household fell ill after consuming the product.
Los Angeles County health officials warned residents against feeding their pets Monarch Raw Pet Food after the H5 bird flu virus was detected in product samples and one cat tested positive for the avian influenza following consumption of the product.Four other cats from the same household are presumed to have the illness, too, according to a Tuesday news release….Monarch Raw Pet Food were sold at farmers markets in Laguna Niguel, Orange, San Jacinto, Fountain Valley, Beaumont, Corona and Palm Springs.Anyone who has fed their pets Monarch Raw Pet Food products, or any other raw meat or dairy products and notice their pet experiencing symptoms should immediately contact their veterinarian. Residents were also told to avoid consumption of all raw milk and raw meat products.
Cats consuming raw milk products have also contracted the disease. One California pet owner is now suing to obtain financial restitution for the tens of thousands of dollars he says he spent trying to save the lives of his three pet cats.
On Wednesday, lawyers for Joseph Journell — a San Bernardino resident who said two of his four cats died and a third was hospitalized for more than week after consuming raw milk containing the H5N1 virus — sent a letter to Mark McAfee, owner of Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC, demanding McAfee “cease all communication with Mr. Journell and reimburse him” for the money Journell spent on veterinary services, lost wages and “other out-of-pocket expenses.”Since Dec. 1, at least 11 California house cats have died as a result of consuming contaminated raw milk and raw pet food. Seven have been reported in Los Angeles County, two in Santa Barbara County and Journell’s two in San Bernardino County.Experts say this is likely a vast undercount, as many veterinarians and pet owners are unaware of the connection of raw milk and meat to H5N1 bird flu and the unique sensitivity of cats to this particular virus.
H5N1 will continue to be a health issue for quite some time, especially among pets and livestock. Pet owners need to be as vigilant as ranchers and farmers, especially if they utilize less processed food products.
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