Govind Tekale
A house cat’s death in Oregon has prompted Northwest Naturals to recall its raw frozen Feline Turkey Recipe pet food after tests confirmed H5N1 bird flu contamination. The December 24, 2024 recall affects 2-pound packages with best-by dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026.
Laboratory Confirmation and Distribution
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories and Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory verified H5N1 presence in both the pet food and the deceased cat. The contaminated product reached consumers nationwide and British Columbia, with 99 cases (1,188 bags) distributed through retailers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Expert Analysis
“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” stated ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; 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.”
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Public Health Implications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 65 human bird flu cases across nine states in 2024, primarily among poultry workers. This marks the highest number of U.S. cases in two decades, with the previous human case recorded in 1997. The current outbreak has infected over 12,000 wild and domestic flocks since January 2022, spreading to 866 cattle herds across 16 states, primarily in California and Colorado.
Dr. Marc Johnson, virologist at the University of Missouri, noted: “This virus might not go pandemic, but it is really trying hard, and it sure is getting a lot of opportunities.”
Precautionary Measures
Oregon health officials monitor household members who had contact with the infected cat. The state’s Agriculture Department advises against raw meat consumption for both humans and pets. Consumers possessing affected products should contact the store where they purchased the food for refunds or dispose of them immediately.
Raw Pet Food Safety Concerns
In pets, bird flu infection could potentially cause symptoms including fever, lethargy, appetite loss, gastrointestinal issues, and seizures. The virus transmission occurs through close contact with infected birds (dead or alive), such as handling infected birds, touching droppings or bedding, or killing/preparing infected poultry for cooking. The CDC maintains that the virus poses a “low” threat to the public, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission.
For product information or refunds, consumers can contact 866-637-1872.
