Two Oregon cats dead after eating raw pet food made in Washington
Cats, either domestic or wild, are especially susceptible to the deadly bird flu virus. (Photo by Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)
Two more Oregon cats died this month after eating raw cat food that was contaminated with the deadly bird flu virus, prompting Washington state officials to issue a recall.
The cats lived in separate households in Multnomah County but both ate the same food produced by Wild Coast Raw in Olympia, Washington, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. They became so ill that they had to be euthanized within days of each other, state records show.
As of Friday, there had not been any reports of cats in Washington affected by the infected pet food, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Agriculture said.
The owners reported the illnesses and Oregon Department of Agriculture officials collected samples of the food from opened and unopened containers for testing. Tests were conducted by labs in Oregon, Washington state and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which confirmed that the food was tainted with the same strain that killed the cats.
Washington state officials announced a recall of the tainted food on Friday. Pet owners should toss or return any containers of Wild Coast's boneless free-range chicken formula, lots 22660 and 22664, with a best-by date of December 2025.
These are the fifth cats known to have died after being infected with the bird flu virus in Oregon, and this is the second case in recent months of a Northwest brand of raw cat food being tainted with the deadly virus. In late December, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said another cat was euthanized after eating raw food from Northwest Naturals, a Portland-based company.
Health officials advise pet owners to avoid feeding cats, in particular, raw food of any kind, whether it is frozen or freeze-dried. It takes high heat like that used to produce cooked food to kill the virus.
Cats, both domestic and wild, are especially susceptible to the highly pathogenic avian influenza, and dogs can contract it as well, though they appear to be more resilient to the virus.
Other animals, especially poultry and dairy cows, have been sickened by bird flu. The disease is often spread by migrating birds. People exposed to the virus in agricultural operations have also become sick, including a poultry worker in Clackamas County. One man in Louisiana, who was elderly and had other health problems died in early January after being infected with the virus.
This article was first published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PlushCare Launches Enhanced Online Weight Loss Program to Expand National Access to GLP-1 Prescriptions Through Board-Certified Doctors
Secure Online Access to GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Like Semaglutide Now Available Nationwide Through PlushCare's Updated Virtual Health Platform San Francisco, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PlushCare, a leading virtual healthcare platform, has announced a significant upgrade to its online Weight Loss Program, enabling greater access to GLP-1-based prescription treatments such as semaglutide through board-certified physicians. This development marks a critical milestone in the company's mission to provide affordable, clinically supervised weight management across the United States. Accessible at the updated platform streamlines the process for eligible adults to consult with licensed physicians, receive lab work if necessary, and access customized treatment plans—all from the comfort of their homes. 'We're committed to making evidence-based weight loss solutions more accessible through modern telehealth,' said a PlushCare spokesperson. 'Our program is designed to connect people with experienced doctors who can evaluate eligibility for medications like GLP-1s and deliver a personalized plan that fits their health goals.' Expanded Features for 2025 The revamped Weight Loss Program now includes: Nationwide Access to medical providers via secure telehealth appointments Eligibility Evaluation for FDA-approved medications, including semaglutide Personalized Plans tailored to each user's metabolic profile Optional Lab Testing with integrated results for precision treatment Transparent Pricing with no insurance required The platform is optimized for mobile and desktop users, offering a seamless experience from appointment scheduling to prescription delivery. Addressing a Growing National Health Concern According to the CDC, over 40% of U.S. adults struggle with obesity, with rising demand for effective clinical support. PlushCare's integrated virtual care model delivers a scalable solution that removes traditional geographic and scheduling barriers. Patients can typically get started in under 15 minutes by completing an intake form and booking a same-day appointment with a licensed doctor. If clinically appropriate, a prescription is sent to their preferred pharmacy. About PlushCare PlushCare is a virtual primary care and mental health platform that connects patients with top U.S. medical professionals through its secure telehealth platform. With a commitment to quality care, convenience, and evidence-based treatment, PlushCare is redefining access to modern healthcare. For more information, visit Media Contact:PlushCare Media RelationsEmail: press@ 345 California Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States SOURCE: PlushCare Disclaimer: This release contains forward-looking statements and should not be considered medical advice. All treatments are subject to clinical evaluation and provider discretion. CONTACT: Email: press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
Former, current CDC employees call on RFK Jr. to resign
Current and former employees of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are calling on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, warning that job cuts and proposed funding reductions will hurt the agency's ability to protect the public from future health outbreaks. Why it matters: The Atlanta-based CDC has long been the unbiased hub Americans turn to for facts about health topics, including sexually transmitted infections, maternal and infant health and respiratory infections. Driving the news: Carrying a large American flag, dozens of current employees at the facility walked out in protest of the cuts and joined people rallying in support of the department. Tuesday's protest attracted more than 100 people who packed the sidewalk along Clifton Road across from the CDC's headquarters. What they're saying: Sarah Boim, a member of Fired But Fighting, a grassroots group of former CDC employees who were terminated this year, told Axios the organization holds rallies each Tuesday in support of people who still work at the agency. "It's really hard to put into words how horrible this experience has been, not just for us, but it's going to really affect everybody in America," she said. Eric Mintz, another former CDC employee, told Axios proposed cuts to the CDC, National Institutes for Health, Food and Drug Administration and Medicaid will take away resources needed to protect people from illnesses. "It's not waste, it's not abuse, it's not fraud," Mintz said. "It's hard-working people with expertise trying to protect the American citizens." Catch up quick: The Health and Human Services Department in March announced about 2,400 positions would be eliminated from the CDC. HHS has said reducing its workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees will cut costs from the agency's nearly $2 trillion budget. On Monday, RFK. Jr. removed all 17 members from the expert panel that makes vaccine policy recommendations to the CDC. He said in a statement the agency is "prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda." Questions are still being raised on who runs the CDC, as there is no public health official or designated point person leading the agency. State of play: Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget also recommends cutting $3.59 billion from the CDC. The budget, which was approved by the U.S. House, is still lingering in the U.S. Senate. Threat level: Anna Yousaf, an infectious diseases doctor at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, called Kennedy a "domestic health threat" who has dismantled programs ranging from lead poisoning prevention to maternal and infant health monitoring.


Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago-based American Medical Association to ask Senate to investigate RFK Jr.'s firing of vaccine committee members
The Chicago-based American Medical Association plans to ask a U.S. Senate committee to investigate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to overhaul a key vaccine advisory group, the medical association said in an emergency resolution passed Tuesday. The House of Delegates at the AMA, which is the nation's premier doctors' group, adopted the emergency resolution at its annual meeting in Chicago. The adoption came just one day after Kennedy, who is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, announced that he had removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. That advisory committee is tasked with making recommendations on the use of vaccines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which then sets U.S. adult and childhood immunization schedules. Kennedy said he planned to replace the 17 members with new members. 'Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,' Kennedy said in a news release Monday. 'The public must know that unbiased science — evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest — guides the recommendations of our health agencies.' It's a move, however, that's met with sharp criticism, including from the American Medical Association. Kennedy has long been a vaccine skeptic, putting him at odds with doctors and scientists who tout vaccines as life-saving. The American Medical Association's emergency resolution also says that it will send an open letter to Kennedy asking him to reverse his recent changes to the committee. And the association will 'identify and evaluate alternative evidence-based vaccine advisory structures,' according to the resolution. On Monday, outgoing American Medical Association President Dr. Bruce Scott said in a statement that the advisory committee has long been a trusted source of science and data-driven guidance on vaccines. 'Today's action to remove the 17 sitting members of ACIP undermines that trust and upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives,' Scott said. 'With an ongoing measles outbreak and routine child vaccination rates declining, this move will further fuel the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses.'