PSA -- Bird flu and cats

[Matata]

Bird flu is very dangerous to cats. Cats infected with H5 bird flu can develop severe illness that may including neurologic signs, respiratory signs or liver disease that can rapidly progress to death.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington State lost 20 big cats, half their population, to bird flu over the past few weeks. They don't yet know how it was transmitted, whether from infected raw meat diets or bird poop in the enclosures or ....

This disease has the potential to become epidemic in feral cat populations which means that people who let their cats outside should reconsider doing so until a way is found to treat/prevent the disease. Death can occur as quickly as 24 hrs.

Talk to your vet or search the news about the incidence of infected cats in your area. Those who are thinking about rescuing/adopting a cat should reconsider bringing a rescue into the house if there are already cats in residence. If you know you have feral or outdoor pet cats in your area or on your property and you have indoor cats, be cautious. If there are free-roaming cats coming onto your property and/or you see lots of bird poop, you might consider sterilizing your shoes before entering your home at least until the transmission routes of the virus are identified.

 

[kenny]

@Matata hanks for posting this!

I worry about Bibi getting it.



I also worry about Bibi no longer being welcome since Bibi goes almost everywhere.

At Trader Joes he perches on the rim of the shopping cart.
But now I realize those carts spend a lot of time in the parking lot where wild birds land on them while looking for food.
So Bibi's no longer allowed to touch the carts.

MOSTLY I worry some customer will see Bibi in the stores (which for years have welcomed Bibi (much to the delight of many customers, especially kids) and think because he's a bird he must/might have bird flu virus.
Reminds me of the 1980s when, just because some man is gay he must have that HIV/AIDS.

It only takes one ignorant customer 'kenning' or 'Karening' to management to ruin Bibi's overwhelming & enthusiastic welcome.

 

[Matata]

Bird flu virus contaminated raw cat food kills an indoor house cat in Oregon. I transitioned my cats from a raw diet last year because at their advanced ages, they were no longer tolerating it well. I'm so relieved I did.

Oregon House Cat Died After Eating Pet Food That Tested Positive For Bird Flu

Oregon authorities say a house cat died after eating raw frozen pet food that tested positive for bird flu.

www.huffpost.com

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Bird flu is very dangerous to cats. Cats infected with H5 bird flu can develop severe illness that may including neurologic signs, respiratory signs or liver disease that can rapidly progress to death.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington State lost 20 big cats, half their population, to bird flu over the past few weeks. They don't yet know how it was transmitted, whether from infected raw meat diets or bird poop in the enclosures or ....

This disease has the potential to become epidemic in feral cat populations which means that people who let their cats outside should reconsider doing so until a way is found to treat/prevent the disease. Death can occur as quickly as 24 hrs.

Talk to your vet or search the news about the incidence of infected cats in your area. Those who are thinking about rescuing/adopting a cat should reconsider bringing a rescue into the house if there are already cats in residence. If you know you have feral or outdoor pet cats in your area or on your property and you have indoor cats, be cautious. If there are free-roaming cats coming onto your property and/or you see lots of bird poop, you might consider sterilizing your shoes before entering your home at least until the transmission routes of the virus are identified.

I read about the loss of those beautiful big cats. I think they lost some birds too. It really is tragic. Thanks for the helpful advice.

 

[Lookinagain]

I read about the loss of those beautiful big cats. I think they lost some birds too. It really is tragic. Thanks for the helpful advice.

I did too. It is so disturbing and sad.

 

[missy]

Thanks for sharing this @Matata. Very scary. Especially about the contaminated food. It seems every few months there are food recalls for pets (even more so than human food recalls). I am so very sorry to read of the devastating loss of more than half of those beautiful big cats at the Washington Sanctuary

https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/25/us/bird-flu-washington-cats-cases/index.html

Cats can get sick with bird flu. Here’s how to protect them​

Don’t let them wander freely in the outdoors, Bailey said, “because you don’t know what they’re getting into. Cats are natural hunters, and one of the animals they love to hunt are birds.”

Avoid touching sick or dead birds yourself. Thoroughly wash your hands after handling poultry or animals.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in cats?
Cats sick with bird flu might experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever.

If your cat is usually playful and likes to look out the window, but instead has been sleeping all the time or hiding from you, take note, Bailey said. “There’s something wrong,” he said.

They could have reddened or inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes and nose. They might have difficulty breathing or have tremors or seizures.

If your cat is sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.

What pet food was recalled?
Northwest Naturals, a pet food company in Portland, Oregon, announced a voluntary recall Tuesday of one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it tested positive for the virus. The product was sold in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.

The recalled food has “best if used by” dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. Consumers should throw it away and contact the place of purchase for a refund.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department

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Pet food recall issued after Oregon house cat dies from eating product that tested positive for bird flu​

Share​

Updated: 8:55 PM EST Dec 26, 2024
Ashley Willians, CNN



A Portland-based pet food company issued a nationwide voluntary recall after a house cat in Oregon died from eating one of its products, which tested positive for bird flu.

Northwest Naturals, owned by Morasch Meats, announced the recall Tuesday for one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the product tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, also known as H5N1 bird flu, according to a news release.



The batch with the virus was sold across the United States through distributors in Washington, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia, Maryland and several other states, according to the release. The products were also distributed in Canada’s British Columbia.

The company is cooperating with the Oregon Department of Agriculture on the voluntary recall, which the we Food and Drug Administration did not issue.

Laboratory testing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University confirmed the cat died after consuming raw frozen pet food that tested positive for H5N1 in Washington County, Oregon, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/rising-bird-flu-infections-human-risk/63238453
Understanding the spread of bird flu from animals to humans
Testing confirmed a genetic match between the infected animal and the virus found in the raw frozen pet food, the department said. The test results prompted the voluntary recall, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a statement on Facebook.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” Ryan Scholz, a state veterinarian with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said in a release.

“This cat was strictly an indoor cat,” Scholz said. “It was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”

The recall applies to products with “best if used by” dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, according to Northwest Naturals.

Northwest Naturals advises people who purchased the recalled product to throw it away immediately and contact the store where they bought it for a full refund.

The Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring people who lived with the infected cat for bird flu symptoms, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said.


Where have human cases of bird flu been reported in the US?
No human cases of the bird flu have yet been linked to the incident, the department added.

Cats and dogs can catch bird flu from eating undercooked or raw meat, sick or dead infected birds or drinking unpasteurized milk, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Humans can become infected if exposed to infected animals, but this is rare, the association said.

Last week, a person exposed to sick and dead birds in Louisiana became hospitalized with a severe case of H5N1, marking the first human case of severe illness linked to the virus in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mild symptoms in humans include mild fever, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and muscle or body aches, according to the CDC. More moderate to severe symptoms include high fever, difficulty breathing or altered consciousness.

Sixty-five bird flu cases have been reported in the U.S. since April 2024, the CDC said.

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FYI about avian flu for those who want to learn more:

https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2023/07/qa-avian-influenza-in-cats.pdf

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[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Just wanted to share that vet care in the US is pretty dismal right now so if your pet has any issues jump on it ASAP. I went to schedule a routine visit for my friend's dog (I pay the vet bills- they are lovely people but don't understand the need for pet maintenance) and the office is closed today. No reason given. So many private vet clinics have been bought by bigger more corporate vet clinics and it is hard to get good care. Very cookie cutter, algorithm care instead of personalized for the unique needs of your pet. My experiences with emergency vet clinics has also been dismal. We are in a very bad era of pet care.

So any issues with your pet- make an appointment ASAP. If you can't get an appointment in a reasonable time, look at holistic methods for pet care to help you through during the interim. Check out same day vets who are trying to build their business. Even reach out to pet rescue groups who offer low cost spay, neuter, vaccination clinics. Many times they have a retired vet who donates their time and will see your pet. I did this once and the vet was shocked when I gave a donation that was the cost of the emergency vet hospital. I was beyond grateful for seeing and caring for my friend's dog whom I love with all my heart.

 

[Matata]

Just wanted to share that vet care in the US is pretty dismal right now so if your pet has any issues jump on it ASAP. I went to schedule a routine visit for my friend's dog (I pay the vet bills- they are lovely people but don't understand the need for pet maintenance) and the office is closed today. No reason given. So many private vet clinics have been bought by bigger more corporate vet clinics and it is hard to get good care. Very cookie cutter, algorithm care instead of personalized for the unique needs of your pet. My experiences with emergency vet clinics has also been dismal. We are in a very bad era of pet care.

My recently retired vet tried to bring another vet into her clinic for 5 years so she could unload some of the stress of being a solo practitioner. She couldn't compete on salary and benefits with the big box corporate clinics. She decided to join VetCo which is a part of PetCo. They built her a new facility. I decided to stay with her until I got a feel for the new place. Her care was still excellent but the clinic was in an expanded part of the PetCo store; the waiting area was teeny with not enough space to separate dogs and cats; the receptionist was also a vet tech so the reception area was often unattended with a line of people waiting to be checked in; the staff and clients had to use the store's restroom which were locked so we had to find an employee to unlock them, a feat in itself, and they were filthy. I decided to look for another vet at the same time she decided to retire which was less than a year after she joined VetCo. It took me 2 months to find a vet who was taking new patients and who was willing to provide care for Savannah cats.

The good news is that we have an excellent specialty care/emergency care clinic in town that serves the region. If it weren't here, I'd have to travel 6 hours for emergency vet care when minutes can mean the difference between life or death.

Human health care and veterinary care are pretty dismal in the US imo.

 

[missy]

Human health care and veterinary care are pretty dismal in the US imo.

100% agree.
I am very fortunate my sister is a veterinarian in an old time mom and pop type practice where the patients (the animals) are always put first. She NEVER turns down an emergency. Not even if it is someone who has never been there before. She has been in practice for over 30 years now and I am sure soon she will be retiring. And unfortunately she is three plus hours away from us. But she is worth the trip while she is working

But yes. Both animal and human health care are currently not in great shape in the USA... or anywhere for that matter. There is always a trade off from my observation. Either in receiving quality of care, getting timely care or cost of care. Something always gives and generally it's multiple somethings

 

[Lookinagain]

I've seen several of the local animal hospitals that used to be independent now having signs where it's clear they are part of some larger corporation. Luckily for me, my vet is still independent, and also, we have a pet ER here that is connected to one of the local universities that has a vet school so won't be "bought". There are also several pet ERs that are still not owned by corporate America. But it worries me that the days of the local vet are waning, just like the days of the doctors for humans who are not part of some huge, for profit, medical corporation.

 

[missy]

From MD link dot com

"

Specialties & Diseases > Infectious Disease
Bird flu fatality: What doctors should know amid rising public concern
By Elizabeth Pratt | Fact-checked by Davi Sherman | Published January 8, 2025

How patients may present with bird flu
Could a bird flu pandemic occur?

“The more cases that occur in humans … a certain percentage of these are likely to be severe and can result in severe illness and maybe even fatalities.” -Dean Blumberg, MD

“Because human populations have no experience with [avian influenza strains], should a pandemic occur, then of course there's going to be a lot of illness—and severe illness.” -William Schaffner, MD
A person from Louisiana has died from avian influenza, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk to the public is low.[1][2]

Sixty-six people have been infected across 10 states.[2] The person who died in Louisiana was over the age of 65 and reportedly had underlying medical conditions.[1]

Experts say that, so far, cases of avian influenza seem to be mild.

“Historically, bird flu, when it [has] occurred in humans, has been quite severe, and the case fatality rates have been 50% or greater. With this current strain, it appears to be more mild, and there have been very few severe cases. In fact, many of these cases have been distinguished by more atypical influenza symptoms, such as conjunctivitis. But the more cases that occur in humans … a certain percentage of these are likely to be severe and can result in severe illness and maybe even fatalities,” Dean Blumberg, MD, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Health, tells MDLinx.

“It is a matter of concern—I should say, not immediate concern for the average person, but it's certainly a matter of concern for [us] in public health and infectious diseases, because we're having to watch these bird flu viruses as they occur to see whether they acquire the genetic capacity to spread readily from person-to-person. Fortunately, these viruses have not yet been able to do that. But it is a concerning prospect,” Dr. Schaffner says.


“Most cases are relatively mild and don't have as many lower respiratory tract symptoms as may occur with human influenza. They often have conjunctivitis, [and] they usually get better within a few days,” Dr. Blumberg adds.

“Fortunately, the strains that have been tested so far appear to be sensitive to our standard antiviral therapy, so we do have treatments available.” -Dean Blumberg, MD
How patients may present with bird flu

The CDC suggests that patients with acute upper or lower respiratory tract infections, conjunctivitis, complications of acute respiratory illness without an identified cause, or with relevant exposure history should be tested for avian influenza.[3]

The agency says that clinicians should also be aware that gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea are often reported with H5N1 infection.

Avian influenza symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Those with mild illness may experience a sore throat, cough, conjunctivitis, eye redness, fever, fatigue, rhinorrhea, headache, myalgia, and arthralgia.

Those with moderate to severe illness may also experience difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, seizures, and an altered mental state.

Complications can include pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis, meningoencephalitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and respiratory and kidney failure.


Could a bird flu pandemic occur?

The 2023–2024 influenza season was classified by the CDC as moderately severe across all age groups.[4]Between October 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, an estimated 40 million people were sick with influenza. 470,000 people were hospitalized, and 28,000 died from influenza-related complications.

Currently, one death has occurred from the avian influenza outbreak, and there has yet to be confirmed any human-to-human transmission of the virus.[1][2]

If human-to-human transmission does occur, the likelihood of severe illness is greater, according to experts.
“Because human populations have no experience with [avian influenza strains], should a pandemic occur, then of course there's going to be a lot of illness—and severe illness,” William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, tells MDLinx.

“It is a matter of concern—I should say, not immediate concern for the average person, but it's certainly a matter of concern for [us] in public health and infectious diseases, because we're having to watch these bird flu viruses as they occur to see whether they acquire the genetic capacity to spread readily from person-to-person. Fortunately, these viruses have not yet been able to do that. But it is a concerning prospect,” Dr. Schaffner says.



"

 

[Calliecake]

It was reported yesterday that a farm in Illinois lost 3,000 hens in the past few days due to Bird Flu. Also within the past week it was reported a seal and a flamingo died of Bird Flu at a Chicago zoo.

CNN reported yesterday that the Federal Health Agencies have been directed to halt communications. This includes US Health and Human Services, US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, US Food and Drug Administration and National Institute of Health.

 

[kenny]

CNN reported yesterday that the Federal Health Agencies have been directed to halt communications. This includes US Health and Human Services, US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, US Food and Drug Administration and National Institute of Health.

WTF?

 

[Matata]

WTF?

You spelled fascism incorrectly.

 

[missy]

Trump's Gag Order Halts CDC Publication

MMWR did not publish as usual at 1 p.m. today

www.medpagetoday.com

"

For the first time in its more than 60-year history, the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)opens in a new tab or window did not go out as scheduled because of a communications pause at federal health agencies issued by the current administration.

Past editors of MMWR and prior leaders of CDC lamented the lack of publication, and its potential impact on the distribution of vital public health information.

"This is a concerning precedent that public health messages won't be left to public health professionals and experts, and instead will be potentially controlled by politicians," Sonja Rasmussen, MD, a former editor of MMWR who worked at the CDC for 20 years, told MedPage Today.



"If they have information that they believe is important enough to get out in the MMWR ... I, as a physician, want to be able to have that information to take the best care of my patients," she added.

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, who served as CDC director from 2009 to 2017 and is now president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, said MMWR has published "without a break every week since 1960" and its predecessor publications did so weekly since 1887.

"The bottom line is every day the publication is delayed, doctors, nurses, hospitals, local health departments, and first responders are behind the information curve and less prepared to protect the health of all Americans," Frieden said in a statement shared with MedPage Today.

Richard Besser, MD, who served as acting CDC director for 6 months in 2009, urged the current administration to expeditiously lift the pause.

"Not a day goes by when CDC isn't tracking a potential threat to our health," Besser said in a statement to MedPage Today. "Cutting off communications from CDC puts our health at risk and prevents our doctors, nurses, and public health leaders in our communities from doing their jobs."



The pause went into effect on Tuesday and is in effect through Feb. 1, according to the Associated Pressopens in a new tab or window, which obtained a memo from acting HHS Secretary Dorothy Fink, MD. It applies to public communications including press releases, social media posts, and websites, as well as anything intended to be published in the Federal Register, and, of course, MMWR.

MMWR has published without fail every week since its inception -- though each year the Christmas week report is published in a double issue the following week, Rasmussen told MedPage Today. Even during government shutdownsopens in a new tab or window the report has been put together by a skeleton crew, said another former CDC employee, who did not want to be named.

The current administration previously also tried to gain control over MMWR, which had published information about the COVID pandemic that conflicted with messaging from the White Houseopens in a new tab or window.

It's unknown what information will be missed during this pause, though three reports about H5N1 were supposed to be published in this week's edition, according to the Washington Postopens in a new tab or window.



The former CDC employee who did not want to be named told MedPage Today they suspect the administration may not have realized the full implications of this gag order on the valuable resources, and that conversations are likely happening behind the scenes to try to convince the new administration to let MMWR go out. They pointed out that MMWR staff are still working and that if this pause continues through next week as currently planned, the articles would likely be put in the Feb. 6 issue.

Missing too many publications can result in getting delisted in Medline, which would mean the MMWR would no longer be an official publication of the National Library of Medicine. The institution did not respond to MedPage Today's inquiries on how many publications would have to be missed for this to happen.

Tina Tan, MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), called the pause in publication of MMWR "a disaster."



"These types of publications really are necessary to get out public health information to the public and to practitioners in a timely manner," she told MedPage Today.

While IDSA is also tracking ongoing public health threats like H5N1 and rising respiratory virus cases, the communications pause is impacting them, too, Tan said. IDSA was supposed to have a joint clinician call with the CDC today to address the most prominent public health threats related to H5N1 -- a meeting weeks in the making that had to be cancelled.

Becky Smullin Dawson, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, said that MMWR focuses the public health community's attention and "helps to generate conversations, new research, public health programming, medical interventions, and health communications."

"Taking away the MMWR from the public health community is equivalent to taking away a vital source of nutrition," she said. "There will be a void when the electronic version of the MMWR is not in my inbox."

As of press time, the CDC did not reply to a request for comment.


"

 

[Ella]

Folks, I know things feel hard right now for many Americans and everyone wants to discuss politics. Please keep politicians, political parties, etc. out of it. You're welcome to discuss health, civil rights, etc. as long as that conversation is respectful, however posts that mention politicians or are derogatory toward particular political parties will be removed. Some posts have been edited/removed to remove comments about political parties. Please help us keep these conversations within policies.

You may use phrases like "the current administration" or similar as long as it is respectful.

Attack/discuss policies, not people, no matter how much you disagree with them.

 

[kenny]

Thanks @Ella

I'm glad we can still vent, as long as it stays within those specified guidelines.
I'm pretty sure many fall completely silent here out of concern of violating policies that seem simple and cut and dried ... but are not.
Your additional clarification really helps.
I'm glad it leaves a lot of room for important conversations to keep PS vibrant.

 

[ecf8503]

https://www.avma.org/resources-tool...lth/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-h5n1-cats