An Oregon cat’s death caused by bird flu-contaminated pet food has triggered a nationwide recall, raising concerns over pet safety and virus transmission.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced that samples of a raw pet food product, specifically Northwest Naturals 2lb turkey recipe, tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus. This confirmation followed multiple tests conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture labs, which linked the virus to a house cat’s death in Washington County after it consumed the contaminated product.
Ryan Scholz, the state veterinarian from ODA, stated, “We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food.” He emphasized that the cat was strictly indoors and not exposed to the virus elsewhere, with genome sequencing confirming the virus in both the food and the cat were identical.
In response to these findings, Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, Oregon, issued a voluntary recall of the affected pet food. The recall involves 2-pound plastic bags with ‘Best if used by’ dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1, distributed across the United States in states including AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI, and WA, as well as British Columbia, Canada. Consumers are advised to discard the product immediately and seek refunds from the purchase location.
While Oregon has registered a single human case of HPAI, there are no reported human cases linked to this particular incident. However, the spread of bird flu continues to concern health authorities. The disease has affected numerous states, with California experiencing significant impacts, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. This virus, which has been present in Texas and Kansas among cattle this year, has resulted in over 700 confirmed cases in 16 states.
Precautionary measures are advised by health experts to prevent further spread. It is recommended to avoid raw or undercooked meat and dairy products and to minimize contact with sick or deceased animals. Hygiene practices such as washing hands after handling raw products are also crucial. Additionally, the public is encouraged to report any sick or dead birds to authorities for further investigation.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and other local health officials are closely monitoring individuals who had contact with the infected cat for any symptoms of flu, although the general risk to humans remains low according to current assessments.
As this situation unfolds, federal agencies have mandated bird flu testing of commercial dairy products to ensure public safety. This development underscores the importance of vigilance in food safety and disease prevention measures.
As authorities work to mitigate the impact of bird flu in both animals and humans, the pet food recall serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human and animal health. Pet owners are urged to stay informed and adhere to safety guidelines to protect their companions.
Source: Fox13news
