Extra pet cats die of avian influenza related to uncooked merchandise in California

On Dec. 31, 2024, the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being warned residents to not feed their pets Monarch Uncooked Pet Meals bought at a number of farmers markets in California as a result of detection of the extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in product samples. A home cat that consumed this product examined optimistic for the virus. 4 different home cats from the identical family are presumed to have additionally been optimistic for HPAI after consuming the product.

“Residents ought to keep away from consumption of all uncooked milk and uncooked meat merchandise and never feed these to their pets,” the Division mentioned in a press launch.

On Dec. 18, the Division confirmed H5N1 HPAI in 4 home cats that consumed recalled Uncooked Farm uncooked milk.  The cats turned sick and died. Two contaminated indoor cats from one family consumed uncooked milk linked to a recall of uncooked milk and cream merchandise previous to onset of signs. The contaminated cats died after extreme worsening of their sickness and subsequently examined optimistic for HPAI, which the Division later confirmed. Further pets within the house are beneath quarantine.

The division then investigated further attainable instances of HPAI in three cats from a unique family. One cat examined optimistic for the influenza virus. Two different cats within the family died after worsening respiratory sickness, later confirmed to be HPAI. These cats weren’t recognized to be uncovered to uncooked milk. Nonetheless, public well being is investigating different attainable sources of an infection, together with uncooked meat.

There have been no human instances of chicken flu related to publicity to those cats but recognized.

Oregon cat died after consuming avian-influenza-contaminated uncooked pet meals

Additionally in December of final 12 months, one cat caught extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and subsequently died after consuming Northwest Naturals model 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe uncooked frozen pet meals. Portland, Oregon-based Northwest Naturals recalled one batch of this product after it examined optimistic for HPAI. As of Dec. 24, no human instances of HPAI have been linked to this incident.

Testing performed by the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s (USDA) Nationwide Veterinary Providers Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State College confirmed {that a} home cat contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the uncooked frozen pet meals.

“We’re assured that this cat contracted H5N1 by consuming the Northwest Naturals uncooked and frozen pet meals,” ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz mentioned in a press launch. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not uncovered to the virus in its setting, and outcomes from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the uncooked pet meals and contaminated cat had been actual matches to one another.”

The Oregon Well being Authority (OHA) and native public well being officers are monitoring family members who had contact with the cat for flu signs.

Signs of HPAI in cats and people

Cats contaminated with H5 chicken flu can develop extreme sickness that will embody neurologic indicators, respiratory indicators or liver illness that may quickly progress to demise, in keeping with the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being.

Signs in cats contaminated with H5N1 chicken flu might differ and embody:

• Loss of urge for food
• Tiredness
• Respiratory and/or neurological indicators

Signs of H5N1 extremely pathogenic avian influenza an infection in people might embody:

• Eye redness or discharge
• Cough
• Sore throat
• runny or stuffy nostril
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• muscle or physique aches
• Complications
• Fatigue
• hassle respiration
• Fever