Bird flu leads to pet food recalls

The Washington company recalls pet foods ongoing Avian flu outbreak.

On March 1, Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, recalled freezing raw pet food from frozen boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, according to a March 1 announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It warned that the product could potentially contain highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Animals that eat contaminated food are cans Infected with the virus.

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The recall affects 16 oz. And 24 oz. Product size. Lot numbers are listed on the FDA website.

The Washington company recalled pet food amid the ongoing avian flu outbreak. (istock)

The announcement comes days after the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) warned at least two pet owners Domestic indoor cats We tested positive for HPAI strains of avian influenza.

“One of the cats was euthanized due to the severity of the illness,” the WSDA said in a February 26 announcement. “The second cat is being treated by a veterinarian.”

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“It’s a difficult situation. We love pets and it’s devastating when they get sick,” said Zac Turner, a veterinarian at WSDA. “If your cat is showing symptoms, consult your vet as soon as possible.”

Pet owners who eat any of the recalled products should monitor for symptoms of avian flu, including fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, redness or inflamed eyes, and discharges from the eyes and nose. Difficulty breathingand neurological signs such as tremor, stiff body movement, seizures, lack of coordination or blindness, according to an FDA release.

The announcement comes days after the Washington Department of Agriculture warned pet owners that at least two domestic indoor cats (not shown) were positive for HPAI strains of avian flu. (istock)

Pets with these symptoms It should be seen by a veterinarian.

“The cat was seen as having avian flu, presumably in contact with a previously infected bird,” David J. Senimo, professor of infectious diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Fox News Digital.

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“Recently, eating raw foods made from chickens and other birds infected with the avian flu has led to cat infections. This is why we should remember if raw food poses some kind of risk and is contaminated with avian flu.”

Cennimo said there have been no reported cases of infectious diseases infected by cooked bird products.

“It has been previously seen that cats have been infected with avian flu, presumably in contact with infected birds.” (istock)

There have been no reports of humans having the avian flu after handling raw pet food, but if the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, it could be transmitted, the FDA warned.

To prevent this, agents recommend that people wash their hands after processing raw products and disinfecting contact surfaces such as countertops, fridges, bowls and cooking utensils.

“If your cat is showing symptoms, consult your vet as soon as possible.”

“People who have processed contaminated products will be treated with redness or irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose/suffocating nose, muscle/body pain, headache, fatigue, fever, breathing, seizures, rash, alopecia, na, or voMa, fda, fod edaze,

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“People who show these signs after contacting this product should contact them Medical workers; Medical institutions Local health department. ”

Experts also recommend that pet owners use appropriate precautions when isolating and caring for sick animals.