Bird flu leads to pet food recalls as experts urge caution

A Washington institution has recalled favored nutrient products amid the ongoing bird flu outbreaks.

On March 1, Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, has recalled its frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula earthy favored nutrient for cats, according to a March 1 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The merchandise could perchance incorporate the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the connection cautioned. Animals who devour contaminated nutrient tin contract the virus.

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The callback affects 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes of the product. Lot numbers are listed connected the FDA’s website.

A Washington institution has recalled favored nutrient products amid the ongoing vertebrate flu outbreaks. (iStock)

The announcement comes days aft the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) warned favored owners that astatine slightest 2 domestic, indoor cats person tested affirmative for the HPAI strain of vertebrate flu.

"One of the cats was euthanized owed to the severity of the illness," the WSDA stated successful the Feb. 26 announcement. "The 2nd feline is being treated by a veterinarian."

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"This is simply a hard concern — we emotion our pets, and it’s devastating erstwhile they autumn ill," WSDA tract veterinarian Dr. Zac Turner said. "If your feline is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian arsenic soon arsenic possible."

Pet owners whose animals ate immoderate of the recalled products should show for immoderate vertebrate flu symptoms, including fever, lethargy, debased appetite, reddened oregon inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs similar tremors, stiff assemblage movements, seizure, deficiency of coordination oregon blindness, according to the FDA’s announcement.

The announcement comes days aft the Washington State Department of Agriculture warned favored owners that astatine slightest 2 domestic, indoor cats (not pictured) person tested affirmative for the HPAI strain of vertebrate flu. (iStock)

Pets with these symptoms should beryllium seen by a veterinarian.

"Cats person antecedently been seen to go infected with vertebrate flu done presumed interaction with infected birds," David J. Cennimo, MD, prof of infectious diseases astatine Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Fox News Digital.

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"More recently, ingesting earthy nutrient that was made with chickens oregon different birds that were infected with avian influenza has resulted successful feline infections. This is wherefore earthy nutrient poses immoderate information and should beryllium recalled if contaminated with avian influenza."

There person not been cases reported of infections transmitted by cooked vertebrate products, Cennimo noted, "so these stay harmless for pets arsenic good arsenic humans."

"Cats person antecedently been seen to go infected with vertebrate flu done presumed interaction with infected birds." (iStock)

There person been nary reports of humans contracting vertebrate flu aft handling earthy favored food, but determination is the imaginable for transmission if the microorganism enters the eyes, chemoreceptor oregon mouth, the FDA warned.

To forestall this, the bureau recommends that radical lavation their hands aft handling the earthy merchandise and sanitizing interaction surfaces specified arsenic countertops, refrigerators, bowls oregon utensils. 

"If your feline is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian arsenic soon arsenic possible."

"People who handled contaminated products should ticker for symptoms of vertebrate flu, including oculus redness oregon irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, occupation breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting," the FDA recommended.

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"People exhibiting these signs aft having interaction with this merchandise should interaction their healthcare provider and section wellness department."

Experts besides urge that favored owners isolate sick animals and usage due precautions erstwhile caring for them.

Experts urge that favored owners isolate sick animals and usage due precautions erstwhile caring for them. (iStock)

The WSDA advises against feeding earthy favored nutrient oregon earthy beverage to animals, its announcement stated.

"Public wellness monitors each radical exposed to animals infected with HPAI done 10 days pursuing their past exposure," the bureau stated.

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More than 80 home cats person been confirmed to person contracted vertebrate flu since 2022, according to KFF Health News.

Fox News Digital reached retired to Wild Coast Raw requesting comment.