Cat dies of bird flu after eating contaminated cat food, company issues recall
Northwest Naturals is recalling a specific batch of its cat food following the death of a house cat from bird flu. Tests revealed that the raw food the cat consumed was contaminated with the H5N1 virus, as reported by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
The cat food in question, made from turkey and sold frozen in its raw form, was recalled after it was found to contain the "highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," according to a statement from Northwest Naturals.
Bird flu is presently spreading across the United States, resulting in outbreaks among poultry in every state, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have also been 65 confirmed cases in 10 states, with a significant number in the Northwest. This situation has raised worries about the potential for bird flu to spark another pandemic.
Many cats in the United States have caught bird flu since the outbreak started earlier this year, as reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The organization highlights that cats appear to be at a higher risk for serious illness from bird flu, which can sometimes lead to death, compared to other animals.
Bird Flu Contamination In Cat Food
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is looking into the detection of bird flu in cat food following the death of a cat from the virus. Tests indicate that the cat most likely got infected after eating the raw food. The cat food was produced by Northwest Naturals, and it has been recalled.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, a veterinarian from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, stated, “We believe that this cat contracted H5N1 after consuming the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food. This cat always stayed indoors and had no exposure to the virus in its surroundings. Additionally, genome sequencing results showed that the virus found in both the raw pet food and the cat were identical.”
Staff from the Oregon Health Authority are monitoring individuals who might have come into contact with the cat for any symptoms similar to the flu, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The agency emphasized that there is no link between this incident and any human infections, adding that “the likelihood of (highly pathogenic avian influenza) spreading to humans in Oregon is still low.”
2024 Cat Food Recall Alert
The cat food that has been recalled, produced by Northwest Naturals, includes:
The cat food that has been recalled was available in 12 states as well as in British Columbia, Canada.
Northwest Naturals has advised pet owners to dispose of any impacted products and reach out to the store where they bought them for a complete refund. For further details, pet owners can get in touch with Northwest Naturals in Portland, Oregon, by emailing [email protected] or calling 866-637-1872.
Cat Cases Of Bird Flu: What You Need To Know
Since the bird flu outbreak began in March 2024, many cats have been infected, including wild cats, farm cats, house pets, and even large cats in zoos, as reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
According to the AVMA, cats appear to be at a higher risk of succumbing to bird flu compared to other species.
Cats infected with bird flu typically acquire the virus through a few specific methods:
"How To Spot Bird Flu In Cats"
If you think your cat might have bird flu, reach out to your veterinarian and try to keep it away from other animals and people, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has also cautioned against giving raw meat to pets (and people) because it can expose them to harmful viruses and bacteria like salmonella, listeria, E. coli, and bird flu. Cooking meat and choosing pasteurized dairy products is a much safer option.
Meghan Holohan is a digital health journalist at TODAY.com, where she focuses on stories related to patient experiences, women's health, disabilities, and rare medical conditions.
