Market Data
State Agriculture Departments in Washington and Oregon have issued an urgent warning about raw pet food after indoor cats in Oregon contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) earlier this month.
The issue stems from the sudden appearance of HAI in commercial raw pet food, prompting a state-wide investigation and raising significant concerns regarding safety protocols in the raw pet food industry. Recent findings identify HAI in pet food consumed in the past two months by cats in Oregon, including two additional cases in Washington County.
Why It Matters
The identification of HAI in pet food has concerns for both public health and individual safety, potentially affecting their pets and owners. This case highlights the importance of transparency in such industries, as human risks are believed to be low, but transmissions can occur via touching contaminated surfaces or pet food.
What To Know
Four cats in Oregon have been affected by HAI, while two others in Washington County were also found sick. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of HPAI in both cases. Pet owners should be vigilant for symptoms such as fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, neurological signs like tremors and seizures, or blindness. Additionally, owners should prioritize veterinary consultation to address these concerns.
Pet owners should watch for these symptoms if their pets consume raw pet food from 2007 to 2015, when WSDA conducted open testing of the updated product lot numbers. Education is crucial to preventing further confusion between HAI andя Another common infection, such as avian(lambda-1) or avian-enteritis.
While individual human risks of being infected are minimal, the spread of HAI from raw pet food can be alarming. Health officials advise caution for o창ing with contaminated surfaces, especially when not thoroughly washed with hand soap after handling.
How to Protect Your Cat From Plant Disease
Instead of exposing cats to raw meat and dairy,.END a cat’s diet in grain-free Earth foods or fruits. Ensure cats are kept inside to minimize Bridge diseases and other avian-pathogenic infections. Home owners should avoid feeding dead birds, as birds with avian-burden diseases can be mistaken for HAI lovers. Most importantly, wear gloves and a mask when interacting with birds in case of illness.
What People Are Saying
Both the U.S. State Agriculture rollars and the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared the fatal HAI find in Oregon as part of a broader investigation into contaminated raw pet food. However, officials contrast the risk of human infection withuevo addition to humans, emphasizing that the risk is lethal and permanent unless there’s a serious break in the immune system.
Wild Coast Raw Pet Food (Credit: WSDA/ODA)
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