Los Angeles County officials are warning against feeding pets raw food, particularly after one brand had samples of the bird flu virus detected. The recall was issued for Northwest Naturals Brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food, which is linked to a house cat in Oregon that died from consuming recalled raw frozen pet food.
Health officials note that any raw dairy, meat, and poultry products can contain germs, including bird flu, and consumption of these products should be avoided. Feeding pets raw milk and raw meat products is also not recommended.
The human case of H5 bird flu in LA County was reported Monday, with symptoms similar to those experienced by people who work with infected animals. The risk of H5 bird flu to the public remains low, but individuals working with infected animals or wildlife are at a higher risk of exposure.
To prevent infection, officials recommend avoiding unprotected contact with sick or dead animals, consuming raw or undercooked animal products, and protecting pets and backyard poultry from exposure to wild animals. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine can also help lower the risk of getting both seasonal and bird flu infections.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/bird-flu-case-reported-los-angeles-after-state/story?id=117072963