Fox News Senior Correspondent Jonathan Seri talks to medical and agricultural experts about testing lactose and dairy cows for bird flu.
The death of a domestic cat in Oregon that became ill after eating contaminated raw pet food. Bird fluhas recently sparked a nationwide recall.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) said Thursday that samples of Northwest Naturals' 2-pound raw and frozen turkey meal tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus.
Tests conducted by several USDA laboratories in Oregon confirmed the existence of a domestic cat Washington County He contracted H5N1 and died after eating frozen raw pet food, according to an ODA statement.
Test tubes labeled “bird flu” and eggs are seen in this image. (Reuters/Dado Rovic/Photo Reuters)
A rare human case of highly contagious bird flu has been confirmed in Texas
According to the ODA, tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus found in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.
“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said ODA State Veterinarian Ryan Schulz. This cat was completely an indoor cat; He was not exposed to the virus in his environment, and results from the genome sequence confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and the infected cat matched each other perfectly.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local public health officials are monitoring family members who were in contact with the cat for flu symptoms, officials said.
Veterinarian examines a kitten with a stethoscope in the clinic. (iStock)
Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Oregon-based company, issued a voluntary recall for the food, which is packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with “best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1 has been .
According to ODA, the product was sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the US and British Columbia in Canada. Customers who purchased the recalled product should immediately discard the product and contact the place of purchase for a full refund.
Although Oregon has approved one A human case of HPAIOfficials said no human cases have been linked to the incident.
Laboratory experiments of chickens (iStock)
Neighboring states such as Idaho, Nevada and California reported HPAI cases In dairy herds, it has been implicated in more than 700 confirmed cases in 16 states nationwide, according to ODA.
As a precautionary measure, the ministry announced earlier this month that it would do so Milk test from any commercial dairy across the state.
FDS mandates bird flu testing of milk supply
With confirmed cases across the country, dairy farms are being tested for bird flu. (FOX / Fox News)
To prevent the spread of the disease, experts strongly encourage people and their pets to:
- Avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat products
- Avoid consuming raw dairy products
- Limit contact with sick or dead animals
- Wash hands after handling raw animal products or contact with sick or dead animals
- Report sick or dead birds to ODA at 503-986-4711
- keep Pets or poultry Away from wild waterfowl
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Northwest Naturals did not immediately respond to FOX Business' request for comment.