Latest news with #MichelleMorse
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYC raccoons to be vaccinated against rabies virus
NEW YORK (PIX11) – The City of New York is fighting against the rabies virus by vaccinating not dogs, not cats – but raccoons. The New York City Department of Health will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits to immunize raccoons against the rabies virus in Brooklyn and Queens, the agency announced on Wednesday. More Local News 'Rabies is a severe disease that can be fatal. The NYC Health Department's efforts to vaccinate raccoons against rabies will protect New Yorkers, their pets, and the City's wildlife,' said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. 'New Yorkers can do their part by keeping their pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and maintaining distance from wildlife.' This year alone, 11 raccoons have tested positive for rabies in the Big Apple, and rabid raccoons have also been found on Long Island. The USDA distributes baits in small, brown, fish-scented packages. Raccoons are attracted to the odor, and when they chew the bait, they become immunized, protecting them against rabies infection. These baits are usually not harmful to humans if ingested, according to officials. Raccoons are common in New York. If seen during the day, the animal is likely searching for food. Never feed the raccoons, officials say. To protect your pet against rabies, keep their vaccinations up to date, and never leave them unattended outside. If you see an animal acting strangely, call 311. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
At least two cats in New York City confirmed to be infected with bird flu in latest cases amid more raw food warnings and withdrawals
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The ongoing bird flu outbreak continues to concern officials with the New York City Health Department issuing warnings to cat parents not to feed their pets raw cat food from Savage Cat Food. This comes after three cats were infected with bird flu over the past two months, with all three cases potentially connected to the company's food, according to officials. The lot number for the packages concerned is 11152026. NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said, via FOX 5, 'We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing illness after consuming Savage Cat Food products or other raw meat or dairy products to contact their vet.' Health officials reported that one cat fell ill after eating Savage Cat Food, displaying signs of bird flu in cats, including fever, appetite loss and respiratory difficulties. It was confirmed to be bird flu, and the cat later died as a result. Another cat also died due to the virus after showing symptoms of fever, respiratory difficulties and liver disease. Testing indicated that the cat was infected with a strain of bird flu related to the one found in Savage Cat Food. Per the officials, the cat didn't actually consume the food themselves but was exposed to a sick cat – the third cat who fell ill. This cat developed a fever after eating Savage Cat Food but went on to survive. This cat wasn't tested for bird flu, but it's thought that they had the virus given that the other cat exposed to them tested positive. The Health Department has been in contact with cat owners, veterinary staff and Savage Pet Food. Meanwhile, officials in New Jersey have also confirmed that bird flu has been detected in a number of outdoor cats in Hunterdon County, and Wild Coast Raw food has been recalled following cases of bird flu in Oregon and Washington as part of the ongoing outbreak. If you have any concerns about your own cat, it's important to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. As well as fever, loss of appetite and respiratory difficulty, symptoms to watch out for include lethargy, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the ears and nose, and neurological issues like tremors and seizures – take a look at these 11 signs to take your cat to the vet, too. To minimize the risk of bird flu, avoid feeding your cats raw food or unpasteurized dairy products. Looking to swap your cat's food? Here's our guide to the best dry cat foods on the market.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird Flu detected in 3 NYC cats who came in contact with 'Savage Cat Food'
The Brief The NYC Health Department is warning New Yorkers to not feed their pets food from the raw pet food company Savage Cat Food. According to officials, about three cats have been infected with Avian influenza (bird flu) in the past two months, all connected to Savage Cat Food and poultry packets. Health officials report that one cat fell ill this month after eating Savage Cat Food, showing fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory symptoms. NEW YORK - The NYC Health Department is warning New Yorkers to not feed their pets food from the raw pet food company Savage Cat Food. What they're saying According to officials, about three cats have been infected with Avian influenza (bird flu) in the past two months, all connected to Savage Cat Food and poultry packets. Two cats were confirmed and another became ill but was not tested for the virus. "We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing illness after consuming Savage Cat Food products or other raw meat or dairy products to contact their veterinarian," said NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse. " The lot number for the packets is 11152026. What we know Health officials report that one cat fell ill this month after eating Savage Cat Food, showing fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory symptoms. Testing at Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed H5 bird flu, with testing by the USDA still pending. The cat later died from the infection. A second cat also died as a result of H5N1 after developing a fever and severe respiratory and liver disease. Additional testing suggests the cat was infected with an H5N1 strain related to that found in Savage Cat food, lot 11152026. Officials say this cat did not consume the raw food product but was exposed to a sick cat, which is now the third cat reportedly ill. The third cat developed a fever after eating Savage Cat Food but survived. However, H5 testing was not conducted and cannot be due to the time that has passed. The Health Department has been communicating with cat owners and veterinary staff, as well as Savage Pet Food. According to the NYC Health Department, while cat H5N1 infections are rare, people who were in contact with the sick cats have been advised to monitor their health. Arrangements will be made for testing, treatment, or prophylaxis if indicated. Cats sick with bird flu might experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever. They could have reddened or inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes and nose. They might have difficulty breathing or have tremors or seizures. If your cat is sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system. The bird flu can spread through an infected animal's bodily fluids, but there have also been reports of cats getting the virus from food. In the past four months, three pet food brands have issued recalls, with two still in effect. Monarch Raw Pet Food remains under recall, and Wild Coast Raw recently recalled its products after a pet died from the virus. The company announced it would switch to fully cooked recipes to reduce the risk. While dogs can get the virus, officials say cats are more likely to be affected. Tips for pet owners Avoid feeding pets raw food or raw milk If you pet has eaten raw food and shows sign of sickness, call your vet immediately and isolate from other pets Keep your cats indoors If you are walking your dog, avoid dead or sick animals
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2 house cats infected with bird flu in New York City, health officials say
NEW YORK — Two cats in different households in New York City were infected with bird flu, the city's health department announced. Officials did not disclose the cats' conditions and are still investigating how they contracted the virus, but urged pet owners not to let their felines roam outdoors or feed them raw food or raw milk — common ways avian influenza can be transmitted. 'The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low,' Michelle Morse, acting commissioner of the New York City Health Department, said in a statement Friday. 'Bird flu viruses present a wider risk to the general public only if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people — which we have not seen.' It's possible for people to catch bird flu from animals, however, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the start of the current outbreak in 2022, 70 people have been infected with bird flu, one of whom died, according to the CDC. On Feb. 7, after detection of avian flu at seven live poultry markets in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all live bird markets in New York City, plus Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties, 82 fowl markets in all, to close for a week, and to be cleaned and disinfected.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two house cats infected with bird flu in New York City: health officials
Two cats in different households in New York City were infected with bird flu, the city's Health Department announced Friday. Officials did not disclose the cats' conditions and are still investigating how they contracted the virus, but urged pet owners not to let their felines roam outdoors or feed them raw food or raw milk — common ways avian influenza can be transmitted. 'The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low,' Michelle Morse, acting commissioner of the New York City Health Department, said in a statement. 'Bird flu viruses present a wider risk to the general public only if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people — which we have not seen.' It's possible for people to catch bird flu from animals, however, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the start of the current outbreak in 2022, 70 people have been infected with bird flu, one of whom died, according to the CDC. On Feb. 7, after detection of avian flu at seven live poultry markets in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all live bird markets in New York City, plus Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties, 82 fowl markets in all, to close for a week, and to be cleaned and disinfected.
