By Jonel Aleccia Ap well being author
At the least two cats in Oregon had been sacrificed this month after consuming uncooked meals contaminated with avian flu, which led agriculture officers to problem a public well being alert on Friday about merchandise.
Officers in Oregon and the state of Washington warned that the avian flu virus was detected in samples of uncooked meals for pets made by Wild Coast LLC of Olympia, Washington.
Two cats that reside in separate houses in Multnomah County, Oregon, turned sick after consuming uncooked pet meals. After consulting with their veterinarians, the house owners of the animals agreed to sacrifice pets because of the seriousness of their ailments, authorities stated.
In each circumstances, veterinarians knowledgeable ailments to state officers. The employees collected cat samples and opens meals containers. The proof in state and federal laboratories confirmed the avian flu in cats and meals. Washington state officers additionally examined unopened containers and located the virus.
The officers recognized the supply because the free -end hen components of Wild Coast, Lotes #22660 and #22664, with one of the best dates of December.
Dozens of home cats, together with a minimum of 24 of this yr, have been contaminated with H5N1, in keeping with the US Division of Agriculture. Lots of the animals had been contaminated after consuming uncooked milk or uncooked meals for pets contaminated with the virus.
Pets contaminated with the H5N1 virus have signs that embrace fever, lethargy, low urge for food, purple or infected eyes, eyes and nostril secretion, respiration problem and neurological injury indicators, together with tremors, seizures and blindness.
If a pet consumed uncooked meals or milk or had entry to out of doors birds, house owners should talk with a right away veterinarian.
No human flu circumstances have been associated to the administration of uncooked pet meals, however folks can infect if the virus enters their eyes, nostril or mouth.
The avian flu has unfold in wild birds within the US. Since 2022. The virus was first detected within the US dairy cows final yr. He has contaminated greater than 960 livestock herds in 16 states.
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The Division of Well being and Sciences of Related Press receives assist from the Science and Instructional Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely chargeable for all content material.