2 died out of three cats contaminated with fowl flu linked to uncooked pet meals in New York

Through the previous two months in New York Metropolis, avian influenza virus was detected in two cats and a suspected third cat. All three had been correlated to Savage Cat Meals, poultry packets lot quantity 11152026. Two of the three cats died following their an infection with H5N1 fowl flu. Up to now, no human has contracted avian influenza in New York Metropolis.

On March 15, the New York Metropolis Well being Division suggested New Yorkers to not feed their pets meals from the uncooked pet meals firm Savage Cat Meals.

“In collaboration with native, state, and federal animal well being officers, the New York Metropolis Well being Division has confirmed that two separate cats, and presumably a 3rd, had been contaminated with fowl flu and have been linked to a uncooked poultry pet meals product from Savage Cat Meals. We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing sickness after consuming Savage Cat Meals merchandise or different uncooked meat or dairy merchandise to contact their veterinarian,” New York Metropolis Well being Division Appearing Commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse, mentioned in a press launch. “The present danger to New Yorkers of fowl flu stays low. Fowl flu viruses current a wider danger to the final public provided that the virus develops the flexibility to transmit between folks — which we’ve not seen at the moment.” 

Particulars of avian influenza outbreak in New York cats

Cat A turned ailing this month and was hospitalized with fever, lack of urge for food and extreme respiratory illness following consumption of hen packets from Savage Cat Meals with the lot quantity 11152026. Testing for H5 fowl flu was carried out on the Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and confirmatory H5N1 testing by the usD.A. Nationwide Veterinary Providers Laboratory (NVSL) is pending. The cat died on account of the an infection. 

A second cat, cat B, was identified with H5N1 and testing was confirmed by NVSL final month. This cat developed fever and extreme respiratory and liver illness and in addition died on account of an infection. Further testing lately carried out at NVSL suggests the cat was contaminated with an H5N1 pressure associated to that present in Savage Cat meals, lot 11152026. This cat didn’t eat the uncooked meals product however was uncovered to a sick cat, cat C.

Cat C turned ailing with a fever after consuming Savage Cat Meals, lot quantity 11152026. Cat C survived, however H5 testing was not carried out.

Tailored from a press launch.