As more cats die of bird flu officials ponder pet food policy changes

LOS ANGELES, CA – A spate of recent cat deaths from the H5N1 bird flu strain has experts keeping a close watch on the integrity of the nation’s food supply. From domestic cats in Los Angeles County and Oregon to captive wildcats in Washington and Colorado, the virus has claimed numerous feline lives, raising concerns over the presence of the virus in pet food and raw dairy products.

In each of these cases, the cats consumed raw pet food or raw milk contaminated with H5N1, underscoring vulnerabilities in the food supply chain. John Korslund, a retired veterinarian from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urged for widespread warnings about the raw meat linked to these deadly outbreaks.

These events have prompted significant policy shifts announced by the USDA and FDA. Changes include implementing pre-slaughter rules at selected poultry farms in Minnesota and South Dakota and revising food safety risk protocols for raw pet food manufacturers.

Despite the FDA’s guidelines on best practices, the raw pet food industry remains largely unregulated. Producers can source meat from non-inspected sources, provided it meets basic safety and labeling standards. The USDA ensures that birds affected by the virus are barred from entering the food supply chain, often resorting to on-site composting to prevent its spread.

In Los Angeles County, health officials reported that several indoor cats fell ill after consuming locally produced raw pet food. Meanwhile, a viral outbreak in Washington resulted in the deaths of 20 captive wildcats at an animal sanctuary due to contaminated food products.

Genetic analysis linked many of the feline deaths to specific suppliers, revealing a mutation connecting infected animals with the pet food from Northwest Naturals, an Oregon-based company. The company voluntarily recalled certain batches of their product in response, although they suggested that contamination could have occurred post-packaging.

Molecular biologist Henry Niman noted a rare mutation in the virus, present in both the contaminated food and infected cats. This discovery adds another layer of concern over potential lapses in food safety, particularly regarding how infected turkeys may have gone unnoticed at slaughterhouses.

Maurice Pitesky, a poultry health expert from UC Davis, speculated that birds might have contracted the virus shortly before slaughter. The possibility that infected poultry could bypass detection procedures raises alarming questions about food safety.

In response to these concerns, the USDA initiated a new pre-slaughter inspection and isolation policy for large turkey operations. Concurrently, the FDA called for raw pet food processors to reassess their food safety protocols with a focus on H5N1.

Cats have proven crucial in highlighting the presence of the virus in the food supply. The H5N1 virus can severely affect their brains and nervous systems, resulting in blindness and seizures.

While the virus in growing cases poses a threat to both domestic and wild feline populations, the real concern for public health officials lies in its entry into the broader food system, driven by the outbreak’s spread across farms.

Health authorities recommend thoroughly cooking meat and opting for pasteurized dairy products to prevent infection. Pet owners are advised to refrain from feeding raw meats or dairy products to their animals to mitigate risks.