Bird flu confirmed in Washington cats amid contaminated pet food investigation
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in cats in Washington amid investigations into potentially contaminated pet food, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.
WSDA is alerting pet owners of the two cases from domestic indoor cats in King and Snohomish counties, noting more cats are being tested for highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
Officials said pet owners reported feeding their cats potentially contaminated Wild Coast Raw pet food, which was previously under a public health alert earlier in February after the food was linked to bird flu cases in Oregon cats.
In the two recent Washington cases, one of the cats was euthanized because of the severity of the illness and the other cat is being treated by a veterinarian, officials said.
The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory reported the presumptive positive results for both cats on Monday, and the WSDA received the confirmed test results on Tuesday from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
WSDA says common signs of bird flu in cats include lethargy, low appetite, fever, hypothermia, pneumonia, and neurologic abnormalities, along with upper respiratory infection.
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WSDA advises pet owners to contact a vet if their pet has consumed the pet food and is experiencing the above symptoms. Pet owners are also advised to alert the vet of the symptoms before arriving at a clinic to avoid spreading the infection.
'This is a difficult situation, we love our pets, and it's devastating when they fall ill,' WSDA Field Veterinarian Dr. Zac Turner said. 'If your cat is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.'
According to WSDA, there have been no human bird flu cases following exposure to an infected cat or contaminated pet food, noting the current strain of the virus that is circulating is considered a low risk to the public.
However, there is a greater risk for people who handle contaminated raw pet food or who care for infected animals.
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WSDA warns that people can become infected with bird flu if the virus enters their eyes, nose, or mouth. This includes cases in which people handle contaminated pet food or touch contaminated surfaces without thoroughly washing their hands afterward.
Officials said sick animals should be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals and people in the home, adding that caretakers should wear a well-fitted face mask and practice good hygiene when caring for infected pets.
The WSDA is investigating and monitoring the situation – urging vets and pet owners to report any additional illnesses that could be linked to the contaminated product.
Amid the investigation, WSDA does not recommend feeding raw pet food or raw milk to pets.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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