Urgent Pet Food Recall: Protect Your Furry Friends After Tragic Bird Flu Incident in Washington County

Northwest Naturals has issued a nationwide recall of their 2-pound packages of Feline Turkey Recipe raw and frozen pet food due to contamination with the H5N1 strain of bird flu. This action follows the death of an indoor cat in Washington County, Oregon, which was linked to the infected pet food. Tests conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a genetic match between the virus found in the cat and that in the pet food, spurring the recall. The affected products have “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/26 B1.

The raw pet food has been distributed across several U.S. states including Arizona, California, Colorado, and more, as well as in British Columbia, Canada. Pet owners are advised to check their supplies and discard the affected items. Dr. Ryan Scholz from the Oregon Department of Agriculture emphasized the importance of this recall, noting that the infected cat, being strictly indoor, was not exposed to H5N1 in its environment, reinforcing the conclusion that it contracted the virus from the pet food.

There have been no reported human cases related to this incident. Health officials urge consumers to follow safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease, including avoiding raw or undercooked meat and dairy, limiting contact with sick or dead animals, washing hands thoroughly after handling raw animal products, and keeping pets away from wild birds.

Anyone encountering sick or dead birds is encouraged to report to local authorities. These measures aim to mitigate any further risk and ensure public and animal safety.

Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/pet-food-recalled-after-washington-county-cat-dies-of-bird-flu/articleshow/116663973.cms
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Publish Date: 2024-12-26 03:53:00