A Cat’s Tragic Meal: Bird Flu in Pet Food

Imagine this: a house cat in Oregon dies after eating frozen pet food that tested positive for bird flu. This unfortunate event led to a nationwide recall of raw frozen cat food by Northwest Naturals. The affected product was sold across several states and even in Canada. Oregon's State Veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Scholz, confirmed that the cat contracted H5N1 from the tainted food. The cat was strictly indoors, ruling out environmental exposure. Genome sequencing showed a perfect match between the virus in the food and the cat.

The recalled product comes in two-pound bags with specific "best if used by" dates: May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Consumers are advised to discard the food immediately and contact the place of purchase for a refund. While no human cases have been linked to this incident, those who came into contact with the cat are being monitored for flu symptoms. The CDC reports over 60 cases in eight states, mostly mild, but one severe case in Louisiana. Oregon has had one confirmed case, linked to a poultry operation, with full recovery. In late October, a pig at an Oregon backyard farm tested positive for bird flu, marking the virus's first detection in U. S. swine.

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