The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that over a dozen cats have died or become sickened due to bird flu found in raw pet food, prompting a federal investigation into the source of the outbreak. Cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state.
According to the FDA, 13 domestic cats in eight households and one exotic cat in one household have fallen ill, with an unknown number of animals at two large felid sanctuaries also affected. The agency is working to trace back the outbreaks and testing is underway but may take several weeks to yield results.
The source of how the virus entered the pet food supply chain remains unclear. Farmers are not allowed to use meat from birds culled due to bird flu in pet food, as part of a USDA program aimed at controlling H5N1 outbreaks.
While bird flu has largely spared humans and cows from severe disease, cats are particularly vulnerable. In response, the FDA is ordering manufacturers of uncooked cat and dog foods to take steps to prevent further spread.
Raw pet food makes up a minority of US pet food sales, but its market has seen rapid growth in recent years. The American Animal Hospital Association warns that feeding pets raw protein puts animals and humans at risk of disease.
To comply with the new requirements, producers must either cook their products or implement alternative safety measures to minimize H5N1 transmission through animal food.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cats-dead-sickened-bird-flu-raw-pet-food