California issues warning on raw pet food after cat death

California public health officials are asking pet owners not to feed their animals raw food after H5. bird flu Virus detected in batch of frozen pet food.

What is the impact of the recall? Northwest Naturals 2 Pound Feline Turkey Recipe Raw pet food has been linked to the death of an Oregon pet cat who contracted the virus after eating contaminated product.

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The recalled pet food is being sold in multiple states, including California, and poses a serious health risk to pets, especially cats. According to the recommendation Announcement from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health this week.

The “use by” dates for affected products are May 21, 2026 and June 23, 2026. Consumers are asked to throw away affected food and contact their point of purchase for a refund.

H5 avian influenza is a type of avian influenza that mainly affects birds, but recently it has spread to a variety of mammals, including domestic animals such as cats and cattle. Although human cases remain rare, public health experts reported the first human case of H5 avian influenza this week in Los Angeles County. The patient contracted the virus after coming into contact with infected livestock.

While the overall risk to humans remains low, experts warn that the risk of infection to pets through raw meat and unpasteurized dairy products is high.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has determined that the virus was detected in raw turkey used in the recalled pet food. Cats that have ingested contaminated food may exhibit symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and respiratory or neurological problems.

In some cases, symptoms can progress rapidly and lead to death, as was the case in Oregon.

Public health officials recommend against feeding raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products to pets, as they can transmit harmful bacteria and viruses, including H5 avian influenza.

Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warned that cooking meat and pasteurizing dairy products is essential to eliminating the risk of infection.

“Raw milk and raw meat products can and do transmit this virus,” he said.

Although dogs seem to be less susceptible to H5 bird flu than cats, Bailey advises all pet owners to follow these guidelines: If your pet shows signs of illness, such as fatigue or difficulty breathing, they should be seen by a veterinarian right away.

Officials are also investigating additional cases of H5 bird flu in cats, including four recent deaths in Los Angeles County related to recalled raw dairy products. Pet owners are asked to dispose of the affected food and contact their retailer for a refund.

Health officials also recommend keeping pets indoors and avoiding contact with wild birds and poultry.

“I don't know what they're going to do,” Bailey said. “Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they like to hunt is birds.”

In a related development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that the H5 avian influenza virus may be responsible. Mutation occurs in Louisiana patientthe first human to experience a severe case of the disease in the United States.

Genetic analysis suggests this mutation may enhance the virus's ability to bind to receptors in the human upper respiratory tract, making it more infectious to humans.

“Does this indicate that we are on the verge of a virus that is easily transmitted between humans? No,” says infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm. “Right now, this is a key in the lock, but the door won't open.”

The Louisiana patient, who had underlying health conditions, contracted the virus after handling sick and dead birds in his backyard flock. The person remains in critical condition, but no human-to-human transmission has been reported.

The CDC stressed that while the variants are “concerning,” the risk to the general public remains low.

Osterholm urged experts to continue to closely monitor the virus.

“There will be more influenza pandemics, and they could be even worse than what we've seen with coronavirus,” he said. “We know the pandemic clock is ticking, but we don’t know what time it is.”

Minister Aydin Leach: [email protected]