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Bird Flu Outbreak: Raw Pet Food Recall Expands as More cats test Positive in Washington State
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The bird flu outbreak in the United States is intensifying, with new cases emerging in domestic cats. Following a voluntary recall earlier this month by a raw pet food company after cats in two Oregon households contracted H5N1 from tainted meat, the situation has worsened. Now, two more cats in separate households in Washington state have tested positive for bird flu after consuming the same brand of raw pet food. Officials announced Wednesday that one cat was euthanized due to the severity of the illness, while the other remains under veterinary care. This growth raises further concerns about the safety of raw pet food and the potential for wider transmission of the virus.
The recent cases in Washington state involve cats that consumed raw pet food from the same brand implicated in the earlier recall. The affected raw food was manufactured by Wild Coast Raw, wich had already issued a voluntary recall for two specific lots. It remains unclear whether the new cases in Washington are linked to the recalled lots or to other products from the same manufacturer.
Expanding Concerns and the Raw Pet Food Supply
As 2022, nearly 100 domestic cats in the U.S. have tested positive for bird flu. The virus can be fatal in cats, and there are concerns about the potential for transmission to humans. The current outbreak has prompted renewed scrutiny of the raw pet food industry and the safety measures in place to prevent contamination.
Christine “Kiki” Knopp, an artist and cornish rex cat breeder in Portland, Oregon, experienced firsthand the devastating effects of the contaminated food. On February 6, she noticed one of her 11 cats had a slight fever. Within days,two of her cats had to be euthanized,and a third was in intensive care. All the affected cats had consumed raw pet food and later tested positive for bird flu. Only a male cat, kept separate and fed canned food, remained negative.
I’ve as learned, I don’t think there’s really a safe way to trust if someone says they’re testing it.
Christine “Kiki” Knopp, Portland, Oregon
Knopp had been feeding raw food to her cats for years and had been closely monitoring recent notices about tainted raw pet food. She believed that the food from Wild Coast was being tested for H5N1. However, her experience has led her to question the reliability of such claims.
Wild Coast Raw’s Response and Industry Oversight
Wild Coast Raw has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. The company did not respond to media inquiries about why it waited a week to issue a voluntary recall after being notified of possible contamination, and whether it was reaching out to vendors and customers about the recall.
The lack of clarity has fueled concerns about the company’s commitment to safety and the effectiveness of its testing protocols. If Knopp had known about the potential risks, she said she would have “promptly” switched to canned food – a move she now recommends to all cat owners who were feeding raw food they bought or made on their own.
It is not safe. Promptly: do not feed raw poultry or raw chicken,raw any table scraps,to cats currently – not even raw eggs.
Christine “Kiki” Knopp, Portland, Oregon
Veterinarians and public health officials are also urging pet owners to exercise caution. steve Valeika, a small-animal veterinarian with a public health background, emphasized the risks associated with raw feeding, especially during the current outbreak.
Especially right now, feeding raw food is just all risk.
Steve Valeika, Small-Animal Veterinarian
Raw milk and raw beef have also been identified as potential sources of H5N1. The risks associated with raw pet food extend beyond bird flu, encompassing other pathogens such as salmonella, E coli, campylobacter, listeria, and toxoplasmosis.
unusual Symptoms and Potential Underreporting
One of the concerning aspects of the recent cases is that the cats did not exhibit the typical respiratory symptoms associated with influenza. Instead, some cats had fevers, rapid breathing, and eyelid swelling, while one developed difficulty walking, indicating neurological impairment.It was only when X-rays revealed severe pneumonia in two of the cats with rapid breathing that bird flu was suspected.
Your average person probably wouldn’t take them to the vet with a minor fever that comes and goes. Your average person might not notice a sudden increase of breath rate, especially for a cat that’s maybe more reclusive. So I wonder how many cases are also under-reported.
Christine “Kiki” knopp, Portland, Oregon
Knopp’s concerns about potential underreporting highlight the need for increased awareness and vigilance among pet owners and veterinarians.
human Health Concerns and Transmission Risks
The possibility of cats transmitting bird flu to humans is another meaningful concern. In 2016, cats in a New York City shelter transmitted H7N2 to at least one person. While the risk of human transmission from the current H5N1 outbreak remains unclear, health officials are taking the threat seriously.
We certainly know that cats can at least transmit another strain of bird flu directly to people. I do think these cats possibly present some risk to humans. We don’t have any idea how big that risk is, but it’s definitelyBird Flu’s Shadow: Raw Pet Food, Cats, and the Looming Threat to Human Health
Is the recent bird flu outbreak linked to raw pet food a harbinger of a larger zoonotic disease threat?
Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading veterinary epidemiologist specializing in zoonotic diseases, welcome to World-Today-News.com.The recent surge in H5N1 avian influenza cases in cats linked to raw pet food is deeply concerning. Can you shed light on the connection between this outbreak and the broader risk to both animal and public health?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed alarming. The link between raw pet food and the transmission of avian influenza to cats, as we’re seeing with this H5N1 outbreak, underscores a crucial public health concern. Raw pet food, by its very nature, carries an inherent risk of contamination with various pathogens. This isn’t solely limited to bird flu; we’re talking about Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Toxoplasmosis. Cats, being obligate carnivores, are vulnerable to these pathogens.
Interviewer: The recall of Wild Coast raw pet food highlights a critical issue: the safety and regulation of the raw pet food industry. What measures should be in place to mitigate future outbreaks?
dr. Sharma: absolutely. The raw pet food industry needs more stringent regulations and oversight to ensure product safety. Robust testing protocols, traceability throughout the supply chain, and clear labeling requirements are essential. we need to understand the sourcing of ingredients, manufacturing processes, and handling procedures to minimize risks.A voluntary recall, while crucial, isn’t sufficient. Proactive measures, including mandatory complete testing for key pathogens, are crucial.
Interviewer: Many pet owners are understandably concerned about the potential for human transmission of H5N1 from infected cats.How real is this threat?
Dr. Sharma: The possibility of zoonotic transmission, specifically from cats to humans, cannot be discounted. while the direct risk of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is currently low, the potential for human infection via cats poses a concern. We’ve seen this demonstrated with other avian flu strains in the past, although the current situation warrants close monitoring. Increased awareness, diligent hygiene practices, and minimizing contact with potentially infected animals are key steps.
Interviewer: The symptoms in affected cats were atypical. How does this impact diagnosis and the potential for underreporting?
Dr. Sharma: That’s a very important point. The non-specific symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, and neurological signs, can easily be misdiagnosed. This makes early detection challenging, potentially leading to underreporting and a delay in implementing control measures. Veterinarians need to be vigilant, considering avian influenza as a differential diagnosis, particularly in cats showing unusual symptoms. Improved diagnostic tools and educational resources for veterinarians and pet owners are crucial here.
Interviewer: What advice would you give pet owners regarding feeding their animals raw food in light of these events?
Dr.Sharma: Considering the important risk associated with raw pet food, I strongly recommend avoiding it. The benefits touted are often outweighed by the dangers of exposure to various zoonotic pathogens, including Salmonella, E.coli, avian influenza, and others. Commercial cat foods undergo rigorous quality control, reducing the likelihood of such contamination. The convenience and reduced risk make processed food a much better choice.
Interviewer: Beyond bird flu, what are the general risks associated with raw diets for pets?
Dr. Sharma: Besides avian influenza, raw diets can expose pets to numerous other bacteria and parasites that can cause illness in both animals and humans. In addition to the pathogens already mentioned (Salmonella,E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Toxoplasmosis), raw diets may lead to nutritional imbalances, resulting in health issues in cats and other pets. it’s crucial to weigh the perceived benefits against these considerable risks.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for this critical insight into the complex interplay between raw pet food, avian influenza, and zoonotic disease. Your expertise is invaluable in helping pet owners and the public at large to understand the risks involved.
Dr. Sharma: My pleasure. It’s crucial for pet owners to be fully informed about the risks involved in feeding raw food, to be especially vigilant during outbreaks, and most importantly, to choose the safest approach to care for their beloved companions.
Key Takeaways:
Raw pet food carries a significant risk of contamination with various pathogens, including avian influenza.
Stringent regulations and robust testing are necessary to ensure the safety of raw pet food.
The potential for zoonotic transmission of H5N1 from cats to humans is a valid concern.
Atypical symptoms in infected cats can lead to misdiagnosis and underreporting.
* Avoiding raw pet food is recommended given the associated risks.
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