The Oregon Department of Agriculture has warned about several batches of Wild Coast Raw pet food, which are contaminated with the avian flu virus; several cats have already fallen ill and been euthanized.
According to health authorities, several cats have suffered severe complications from avian flu after consuming this specific brand of raw pet food. This incident adds to a troubling series of pet deaths linked to the virus.
As a result of this situation, the Washington State Department of Agriculture has also issued a public health advisory, alerting consumers about the potential dangers of certain Wild Coast Raw products made in Olympia.
Which Wild Coast Raw pet food is contaminated with avian flu?
It is the cat food marked with lot numbers 22660 and 22664 of the chicken formula, with an expiration date of December 2025. According to Tyler Duncan, founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, the company has already halted its distribution in stores.
ALSO READ What will the new Apple MacBook Air M4 be like? We tell you
What should I do if I purchased Wild Coast Raw pet food contaminated with avian flu?
Authorities have recommended that customers immediately discard the product and request a full refund from the place of purchase. They can also cook the formula at a temperature of 165°F to kill the virus.
Additionally, health officials in Oregon have strongly advised pet owners to avoid feeding their animals undercooked or raw meat, as well as unpasteurized milk, as these foods are suspected of causing illnesses and even death in cats in rural areas.
Avian Flu in the United States
In recent months, avian flu outbreaks have impacted numerous farms in the United States, with California being one of the most affected states, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.
This outbreak has caused the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys and has also affected nearly two-thirds of the state’s dairy herds since late August.
This situation has impacted several pet food brands, including Monarch Raw Pet Food, Northwest Naturals, and now Wild Coast Raw, where the presence of the avian flu virus has been detected in formulas containing chicken.
Does raw pet food transmit diseases?
Research conducted in 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed that raw pet foods have a higher risk of transmitting diseases. Despite this, these products continue to be marketed, even after pet deaths, product recalls, and health authority warnings.
What is avian flu?
Avian flu is a disease caused by infections of the influenza A virus in birds. Depending on the strain, it can cause symptoms ranging from none to mild or severe illness, and even death in animals.
Does avian flu transmit to humans?
Avian flu rarely affects humans, although some cases have been reported, mostly in people who have close, prolonged contact with live poultry, typically on farms or in backyard chicken coops.
It is also possible for people to contract avian flu from contact with wild birds or other animals. Cases of person-to-person transmission of avian flu have been extremely rare.
Symptoms of avian flu in humans
Generally, symptoms begin to appear within seven days of contact with the virus and may last up to two weeks. Some of the most common symptoms of avian flu are:
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Conjunctivitis
- Stomach discomfort and vomiting
- Diarrhea
In severe cases, patients may develop complications that can be life-threatening, such as:
- Asthma or cystic fibrosis
- Ear and sinus infections
- Acute respiratory failure syndrome
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Bleeding in the lungs, lung collapse, or bacterial pneumonia
- Sepsis
