Cat food recalled after testing positive for H5N1 and feline dies

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

OREGON HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WARNING CAT OWNERS TO THROW OUT A BRAND OF FROZEN PET FOOD AFTER IT TESTED POSITIVE FOR BIRD FLU AND A HOUSE CAT DIED AFTER EATING THE PRODUCT.

THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS IT IS “CONFIDENT” THE FELINE DIED OF BIRD FLU AFTER CONSUMING NORTHWEST NATURALS RAW AND FROZEN PET FOOD.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE DECEASED CAT “STRICTLY” STAYED INSIDE AND WAS NOT EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS IN ANY OTHER SETTING.

NOTING, THE VIRUS DETECTED IN THE PET FOOD AND CAT “WERE EXACT MATCHES.”

IN RESPONSE, NORTHWEST NATURALS RECALLED ITS 2-POUND TURKEY RECIPE RAW AND FROZEN PET FOOD THIS WEEK.

VETERINARIANS SAY H-5-N-1 IS PARTICULARLY DEADLY FOR CATS, ESPECIALLY BIG ONES.

EARLIER THIS WEEK IT WAS REPORTED THAT AT LEAST 20 EXOTIC CATS DIED FROM BIRD FLU AT A WASHINGTON STATE ANIMAL SANCTUARY, INCLUDING TIGERS, BOBCATS AND MOUNTAIN LIONS.

THE SANCTUARY HAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AS A RESULT OF THE VIRUS.

THE CAUSE OF THAT OUTBREAK IS STILL UNKNOWN.

WILDLIFE OFFICIALS SAY THE VIRUS CAN INFECT LARGE CATS WHO EAT BIRDS WITH THE VIRUS OR OTHER CONTAMINATED PRODUCTS.

ADDING, CATS SYMPTOMS CAN START OFF SUBTLE BUT PROGRESS RAPIDLY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO “DEATH WITHIN 24 HOURS DUE TO PNEUMONIA-LIKE CONDITIONS”

IN CALIFORNIA, OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS OF FOUR HOUSE CATS WHO DRANK RECALLED RAW MILK.

CALIFORNIA HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF INFECTIONS IN CATTLE HERDS AND HUMANS NATIONWIDE.

STILL, U-S HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE RISK TO HUMANS REMAINS LOW BUT URGE THOSE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH FARM ANIMALS TO WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.