The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced new rules aimed at preventing the spread of H5N1 bird flu through pet food production. The move comes after a recent wave of cat deaths in multiple states, including California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, which were linked to consuming raw or contaminated pet food.
According to experts, cats are highly susceptible to H5N1 infection, with the virus affecting their brain and nervous system, leading to symptoms such as blindness, seizures, and abnormal behavior. The majority of affected cats died due to consuming raw milk or meat, either from commercial farms or backyard animals.
The FDA has called for raw pet food processors to reanalyze their food safety systems, incorporating H5N1 into their analyses. Meanwhile, the USDA has launched a new policy for turkey operations in Minnesota and South Dakota, requiring pre-slaughter inspection and isolation of birds 72 hours before slaughter.
Health officials stress that the best way to avoid infection is to cook meat thoroughly and consume only pasteurized dairy products. They also advise pet owners to stop feeding raw meat and dairy to their pets altogether.
The recent outbreak highlights concerns about the presence of H5N1 in commercial poultry farms, which can lead to infected birds being sold to slaughterhouses without detection. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the need for further action to prevent the spread of the virus.
As the situation continues to unfold, experts warn that more cat deaths are likely to occur unless stricter measures are taken to contain the outbreak.
Source: https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/business/2025/01/21/a-wave-of-cat-deaths-from-bird-flu-prompts-new-rules-on-pet-food-production/77845593007