The Washington company recalled pet food amid the ongoing avian flu outbreak.
On March 1, Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, recalled freezing raw pet food from frozen boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, according to a March 1 announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It warned that the product could potentially contain highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Animals that eat contaminated food can contract the virus.
The recall affects 16 oz. And 24 oz. Product size. Lot numbers are listed on the FDA website.
The announcement comes days after the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) warned pet owners that at least two domestic indoor cats were tested positive for HPAI strains of avian flu.
“One of the cats was euthanized due to the severity of the illness,” the WSDA said in a February 26 announcement. “The second cat is being treated by a veterinarian.”
“This is a difficult situation. We love pets and it's devastating when they get sick,” said Zac Turner, a veterinarian at WSDA. “If your cat is showing symptoms, consult your vet as soon as possible.”
Pet owners who have eaten any of the recalled products should monitor for symptoms of avian flu, including fever, choking, appetite, low or inflamed eyes, drainage from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, stiff body movements, stiffness, coordination or blindness, according to an FDA announcement.
Pets with these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian.
“The cat was seen to have contracted avian flu, presumably with contact with a previously infected bird,” David J. Senimo, professor of infectious diseases at Rutgers' School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
“Recently, cat infections have been caused by eating raw food made from chickens and other birds infected with avian flu. This is why raw food poses some kind of risk and should be remembered if it is contaminated with avian flu.”
No cases of infections transmitted by cooked bird products have been reported, Cennimo said, “They remain safe for humans as well as pets.”
There have been no reports of humans having the avian flu after handling raw pet food, but if the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, it could be transmitted, the FDA warned.
To prevent this, agents recommend that people wash their hands after processing raw products and disinfecting contact surfaces such as countertops, fridges, bowls and cooking utensils.
“People who have processed contaminated products should monitor for symptoms of avian flu, including redness and irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose/suffocating nose, muscle/body pain, fatigue, fatigue, fever, breathing, seizures, rashes, nuuche, na,/or voma edain, fda, fod edain, fol, muscle/body pain, fatigue, fatigue, etc.
“People who show these signs after contacting this product should contact their healthcare provider and local health department.”
Experts also recommend that pet owners use appropriate precautions when isolating and caring for sick animals.
The WSDA announced it is advising animals to supply raw pet food and raw milk.
“Public health monitors all people exposed to HPAI-infected animals up to 10 days after their last exposure,” the agency said.
More than 80 cats have been confirmed to have the avian flu since 2022, according to KFF Health News.
