U.S. pet food sold in B.C. recalled over bird flu infection
A pet food manufacturer based in Oregon has issued a voluntary recall after a domestic cat passed away after consuming its products, which were found to be contaminated with bird flu. The company also reported that the same affected batch was distributed in British Columbia.
Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, Oregon, has announced a recall of a specific batch of its two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food due to the detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
The company announced that the same product was available in multiple locations, such as California, Colorado, Washington, and British Columbia in Canada.
On Thursday, the Oregon Department of Agriculture released a warning stating that tests have confirmed a house cat in Washington County contracted the H5N1 virus and passed away after eating raw frozen pet food from Northwest Naturals.
The case of the bird flu from 3:53 B.C. continues to be an enigma.
The test results have led to a countrywide voluntary recall, and the company is advising customers to examine their products.
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The recall affects items sold in two-pound plastic bags labeled with “Best if used by” dates ranging from May 21, 2026, to June 23, 2026.
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Northwest Naturals advises customers who bought the recalled item to dispose of it right away.
Dr. Ryan Scholz, a veterinarian from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, stated that they believe the cat picked up bird flu after consuming raw and frozen pet food from Northwest Naturals. This conclusion is especially convincing given that the cat was exclusively kept indoors, meaning it wouldn't have had any exposure to the virus in its home environment.
According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, there have been no reported human cases of bird flu associated with this incident so far.
It also highlights that this situation serves as a reminder for pet owners that giving raw meat to their pets can cause serious health issues. Cooking the meat thoroughly can eliminate dangerous pathogens, such as H5N1.
Health Canada has not officially issued a recall for the products, and the agency has not yet replied to inquiries from the media.
A teenage girl in British Columbia is still in serious condition due to the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
According to Shawn Hall from the BC Poultry Association, the province has reported 74 poultry farms affected by infections this year.
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"During the latter part of December, we began noticing a drop in cases," he mentioned.
"We haven't seen any new cases since Monday, so it's still too soon to declare that this year's outbreak has ended. However, we are feeling cautiously hopeful that things are heading in the right direction."
He mentions that after an increase in avian flu cases in Washington state back in October, the province has kept its biosecurity measures at their highest standards. This includes restricting visitors to poultry farms, ensuring that they wear the right protective equipment, and making certain that all vehicles and equipment are properly sanitized.
He explains that fast testing has enabled farms to swiftly identify an outbreak and prevent it from getting worse.
Hall states that even with the pet food recall, food safety remains a non-issue in the province.
"Commercial poultry farms in British Columbia follow rigorous biosecurity protocols, ensuring that any sick animals are closely monitored. Sick animals from these farms are completely excluded from the food supply, whether for human consumption or pet food," he explained.
He urges Canadians to maintain proper cleaning and cooking practices when dealing with poultry. This includes making sure the meat is cooked thoroughly and keeping kitchen areas clean and sanitized.
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