Uncooked pet meals for cats has been recognized as a supply of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1) an infection in two Oregon home cats.
The homeowners of the cats, in session with their veterinarians, elected to euthanize because of the severity of the sickness. Upon additional investigation into the supply of the sickness, officers discovered the cats all consumed the identical model of uncooked pet meals — Wild Coast Uncooked Boneless Free Vary Hen Formulation, with lot numbers 22660 and 22664 and a best-by date of December 2025 — earlier than changing into unwell.
The Oregon Division of Agriculture (ODA ) collected samples from the affected cats pre- and autopsy, and from open containers of the uncooked pet meals. Exams carried out by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State College and the Nationwide Veterinary Providers Laboratories (NVSL) on the U.S. Division of Agriculture confirmed the presence of HPAI in each cats and the meals samples.
After receiving experiences of the sicknesses, the Washington State Division of Agriculture (WSDA) and the ODA are warning pet homeowners in regards to the dangers of uncooked pet meals.
The most recent in a wave of hen flu in cats
This newest alert comes amid a broader nationwide wave of hen flu infections in cats. Greater than 80 instances of home cats contaminated with HPAI have occurred within the U.S. since 2022. Most of those instances concerned cats that lived outdoor and sure have been involved with contaminated wildlife or livestock. In late 2024, nevertheless, a number of cases occurred through which evidently pet cats contracted the virus from uncooked pet meals or unpasteurized milk.
In Los Angeles County, public well being officers confirmed seven instances of H5 hen flu in cats and warned that extra instances probably weren’t detected or examined in laboratories. In Oregon, one allegedly indoor cat caught HPAI virus and subsequently died after consuming Northwest Naturals uncooked frozen turkey pet meals. The model recalled one batch of this product after it examined constructive for HPAI, though others challenged these outcomes.
Final week, it was reported {that a} human adolescent could have contracted hen flu from a pet cat, in accordance with information from the Facilities for Illness Management (CDC) that appeared briefly on-line. The other additionally could have occurred. The CDC information referred to a dairy employee who confirmed signs of extremely pathogenic avian influenza two days earlier than a cat of their family sickened and later died from the virus.
Officers haven’t linked the dealing with of uncooked pet meals merchandise to human hen flu infections. Folks can develop into contaminated, nevertheless, if the virus enters by means of their eyes, nostril or mouth.
FDA urges pet meals producers to replace security plans for H5N1 dangers
The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring pet meals producers topic to the FDA Meals Security Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Animal Meals (PCAF) rule to reanalyze their meals security plans to handle H5N1, a pressure of Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The requirement applies to producers utilizing raw or unpasteurized components akin to meat, milk or eggs derived from poultry or cattle in cat and pet food.
The FDA recommends the next practices to attenuate H5N1 dangers:
- Supply components solely from wholesome herds or flocks.
- Implement processing steps akin to warmth therapy, which has been proven to inactivate the virus in meat, milk and eggs.
- Set up supply-chain controls to confirm components are freed from H5N1 contamination.
The company has additionally supplied assets and scientific literature to assist producers replace their plans. Firms that implement preventive controls will contribute to defending pet well being and decreasing the unfold of H5N1.
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