By JONEL ALECCIA | Related Press
No less than two cats in Oregon have been euthanized this month after consuming uncooked pet meals contaminated with chook flu, prompting agriculture officers to subject a public well being alert Friday concerning the merchandise.
Officers in Oregon and Washington state warned that chook flu virus was detected in samples of uncooked pet meals made by Wild Coast LLC of Olympia, Washington.
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Two cats dwelling in separate households in Multnomah County, Oregon, fell ailing after consuming the uncooked pet meals. After session with their veterinarians, house owners of the animals agreed to euthanize the pets due to the severity of their diseases, officers stated.
In each instances, veterinarians reported the diseases to state officers. Workers collected samples from the cats and open containers of meals. Checks at state and federal laboratories confirmed chook flu within the cats and the meals. Washington state officers additionally examined unopened containers and located the virus.
Officers recognized the supply as Wild Coast’s Boneless Free Vary Hen Components, heaps #22660 and #22664, with best-by dates of December.
Dozens of home cats, together with at the least 24 this yr, have been contaminated with H5N1, in response to the U.S. Agriculture Division. Lots of the animals grew to become contaminated after consuming uncooked milk or uncooked pet meals contaminated with the virus.
Pets contaminated with the H5N1 virus have signs that embody fever, lethargy, low urge for food, purple or infected eyes, discharge from the eyes and nostril, issue respiration and indicators of neurological harm, together with tremors, seizures and blindness.
If a pet consumed uncooked meals or milk or had entry to outside birds, house owners ought to contact a veterinarian instantly.
No human instances of chook flu have been linked to dealing with uncooked pet meals, however folks might be contaminated if the virus enters their eyes, nostril or mouth.
Chook flu has been spreading in wild birds within the U.S. since 2022. The virus was detected for the primary time in U.S. dairy cows final yr. It has contaminated greater than 960 cattle herds in 16 states.
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The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives assist from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Instructional Media Group and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely liable for all content material.
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