
(AmericanProsperity.com) – The sudden rise in H5N1 avian influenza this season is putting cats at risk as a new report revealed an outbreak that could kill them for eating contaminated raw food.
See the tweet below.
Cats, ranging from domestic felines to larger wild cats in wildlife refuges, have succumbed to this virus across the United States.
The H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among cats has triggered the United States to enforce stricter rules on pet food production.
The death toll includes felines from Los Angeles County, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado after consuming contaminated raw pet food and milk.
The presence of the virus within commercial meat and dairy products underscores vulnerabilities in the U.S. food chain.
This highlights the urgent need for improvements in food safety, especially given the ongoing USDA and FDA policy changes targeting these risks.
An agency official stated:
“The FDA is aware of reports of death or illness associated with uncooked food in 13 domestic cats in eight households, 1 exotic cat in one household, and an unknown number of animals at two sanctuaries for large felids.”
Moreover, the lack of regulation in the raw pet food industry, particularly regarding the sourcing of raw meat, exacerbates the problem, leaving pet owners anxious about the safety of their pets’ diets.
The FDA underscored that any company producing pet food that sickens animals will be investigated, assuring the public that H5N1-infected birds are prohibited from entering the food supply. In Washington, the virus claimed the lives of 20 captive wild cats.
Efforts to mitigate further outbreaks continue with the USDA’s new policies requiring pre-slaughter inspections for turkey farms in Minnesota and South Dakota.
The FDA’s call for raw pet food processors to reassess their safety practices, specifically concerning H5N1, seeks to minimize the virus’ spread.
Meanwhile, veterinarians advise thoroughly cooking meat, consuming pasteurized dairy, and avoiding feeding raw products to pets.
The outbreak’s initial trace to contaminated raw pet food signifies cats’ heightened susceptibility to H5N1 and serves as a warning of the virus’ presence in food and surroundings.
As bird flu cases are expected to rise with winter migrations, it is critical to adopt protective measures when handling raw pet food.
Human infection remains rare, but maintaining good hygiene and using protective gear while handling potentially infected materials reduces risk.
Health officials have traced the illness to "Northwest Naturals" frozen cat food, which contains raw turkey, and have advised against using raw pet food. https://t.co/dfb8cz3pSo
— WPDE ABC15 (@wpdeabc15) December 28, 2024
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