Latest news with #TylerDuncan
New York Times
04-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Wild Coast Raw Food for Cats Is Recalled Over Bird Flu Risk
A company in Washington State voluntarily recalled a raw food product for cats this week because of the potential risk that it may have been contaminated with bird flu amid outbreaks in poultry and cows across the United States, federal safety regulators said. Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Wash., issued the recall for its frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. At least one pet had died after consuming the product, the company said. The product, which had been distributed to pet food retailers in Washington and Oregon, 'has the potential to be contaminated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 also known as bird flu,' the F.D.A. said. 'The recall is a precautionary measure,' Tyler Duncan, the founder of the company, said in a social media post. In a letter to customers, published on the company's website, Mr. Duncan said: 'The safety of our products and that of our customers' beloved pets is always our top priority. We were devastated to learn of the passing of a beloved pet, and our hearts go out to the owner.' The F.D.A. said that the company and the Washington State Department of Agriculture were working together to address the source of the problem. The recall affects 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes of the chicken formula, which is frozen in a small round white plastic container with a green label. The affected lots, identified by a sticker on the lid, include those with the numbers #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664, with a best buy date of December 2025. Scientists have said that cats are highly susceptible to the virus. At least 99 domestic cats have been infected since late 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported six human cases and one death in relation to the outbreak. While there have been no reported human infections among people who handle raw pet food products, people can become infected if the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose or mouth, according to the F.D.A. Consumers who fed their pets the recalled goods should be on the lookout for symptoms of bird flu, which can include fever, lethargy, low appetite and reddened or inflamed eyes. Other related symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination or blindness. 'People with pets exhibiting these signs after feeding this product should contact their veterinarian,' the F.D.A. said. People who have bought the recalled product should discard it, the agency added. The recall was announced days after the Washington State Department of Agriculture alerted pet owners on Feb. 26 that at least two domestic indoor cats in two counties had tested positive for bird flu. The pet owners had reported feeding their cats the potentially contaminated pet food that was recalled. One cat was euthanized because of 'the severity of the illness,' the state's agriculture department said, noting that the second cat was being treated by a veterinarian.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu latest updates: Wyoming confirms state's 1st human case of bird flu, bringing total to 70 across 13 states
Bird flu is spreading across the United States, causing egg shortages and soaring prices at supermarkets and restaurants — however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the current public health risk is low. The CDC's website currently indicates 70 confirmed human cases across 13 states, with one death in Louisiana associated with the H5N1 infection. The most recent confirmed human case was in Wyoming, the state's first, on Feb. 14, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. That case is the third confirmed hospitalization related to the virus in the U.S. Previously, Ohio's health department confirmed to CBS News that a farmer in the state sickened with bird flu was also hospitalized and has since been released, making it the fourth hospitalization in the U.S. In recent months, cases of avian influenza have increased in animals, including poultry, wild birds, dairy cows and even pet cats. Nearly 23 million birds were affected by the virus in January, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since February 2022, over 138 million birds have been infected by H5N1. As of Feb. 24, 70 cases of bird flu detected in humans have been confirmed across 13 U.S. states due to exposure from infected commercial poultry, dairy cattle herds or other animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current public health risk of bird flu is low. The states where human cases of bird flu have thus far been identified are Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Wyoming. A new study suggests it's possible for humans to give their pet cats bird flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health experts already know that cats can catch bird flu by consuming raw food, milk or dead birds that are infected, which can cause extreme illness and deaths in felines. But the latest study reveals that cats are susceptible to the virus even without direct exposure to infected dairy cows or poultry. While the CDC notes there have been no cases of human-to human bird flu transmission, "the study illustrates concerns about bird flu continuing to mutate to increase the risk for transmission to and among humans," USA Today reported. Read more from USA Today: People can give their cats bird flu, CDC study suggests Two cats were euthanized after they became severely ill with bird flu from eating raw pet food produced by Wild Coast Pet Foods, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Oregon and Washington states sold specific lots that are linked to the virus. The company's founder, Tyler Duncan, issued a statement notifying customers that the following product has been pulled: 24 oz. chicken feline formula with lot numbers 22660 and 22664, with a best-buy date of 12/2025. "If you have either of these Lot numbers please dispose immediately and contact your place of purchase for a full refund," Duncan advised in the statement. "If you currently feed our chicken formula and are concerned, I recommend cooking until 165 degrees, replacing with a non-poultry formula or replacing with a gently cooked formula." Turkey is exporting about 15,000 metric tons of eggs — around 700 containers — to the U.S. amid shortages and soaring prices due to the bird flu outbreak, which has killed millions of egg-laying hens. "We support the temporary import of egg products to help ease the strain on the U.S. egg supply," Chad Gregory, CEO of United Egg Producers, a cooperative that represents U.S. egg farmers, told Reuters. The shipments, which started this month, will continue until July, according to Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey. The U.S. negotiated a deal with Turkish producers as it sought alternative solutions to egg shortages. The deal is expected to create $26 million in export revenue for Turkey, according to Afyon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to rehire several employees it accidentally fired who are working on the federal government's response to the bird flu outbreak. They were among thousands of employees whose jobs have been eliminated at the direction of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, in an effort to carry out the Trump administration's goal of reshaping the federal government. 'Although several [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] positions supporting [bird flu] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters,' the department spokesperson said. Those jobs help to oversee the network of labs across the U.S. that the USDA relies on to confirm cases of bird flu, Politico and NBC News reported. Health experts believe the primary way that H5N1 bird flu has spread onto farms is through the feces of wild birds. But a 2024 investigation in the Czech Republic of chickens on a highly secure, state-of-the-art farm has concluded that the virus could have been spread there by the wind. 'The whole idea of potentially being sort of wind-driven has been out there for a while,' Dr. Richard Webby, who directs the World Health Organization's Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, told CNN. Webby added that the spread of the virus due to wind doesn't necessarily make bird flu a bigger threat to humans. While it takes just a small amount of virus to infect a bird, it takes a more substantial amount to infect humans, he said. Yes. Since last summer, U.S. public health agencies have been preparing millions of doses of a vaccine for H5N1 bird flu. By this spring, about 10 million doses will be available, or enough to vaccinate 5 million people, a spokesperson at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response told NBC News. The reason federal officials haven't authorized a bird flu vaccine for humans at this time is thatillnesses have been relatively mild and don't require hospitalization. Currently, there's no human-to-human transmission evidence and the virus's risk to the general public is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Should a bird flu vaccine be needed for humans, the national stockpile should be sufficient for immunizing first responders and at-risk populations. The American Veterinary Medical Association is encouraging owners of backyard flocks or pet birds to take precautions in areas where there are currently bird flu outbreaks. Make sure backyard bird areas are fully enclosed, away from wild birds and their feces. Pet birds should be brought indoors. Before and after handling birds, wash and sanitize your hands. Keep feed, drinking water, equipment and other supplies used to care for backyard flocks away from wild birds or rodents. Avoid visits to places where other birds are kept. Visitors should be kept away from the flock or pet bird. Know the signs and symptoms of bird flu in your backyard flock, provided here. Report any suspected infections to your veterinarian or state animal health official. The first human case of bird flu in Wyoming was confirmed on Friday, the state's Department of Health said in a statement. State health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said an older woman was hospitalized with the virus. She added the woman has health conditions that make her more vulnerable to illness and noted she was "likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home." The state's health department noted the Wyoming case was the third instance of hospitalization linked to bird flu in the United States. 'We want to remind people there has been no documented human-to-human virus transmission of this virus in the United States so far,' Harrist said, adding that bird flu does not require a high level of concern among Wyoming residents. The demand for vegan egg substitutes is on the rise, as chicken egg prices spike amid a nationwide bird flu outbreak. Vegan egg companies like Eat Just saw January sales increase five times compared with last year. The company, which makes Just Egg branded products, uses mung beans and canola oil in its liquid-form egg substitute. The sales of those products have expanded at retailers. "Just Egg sales have accelerated, with one major chain, which the company declined to name, posting weekly gains on a year-over-year basis as high as 70%," Bloomberg reported. Egg prices have risen 53% over the last year, including a 15% increase in January alone. But the cost of chicken meat has barely risen 1% since this time last year, according to recent Consumer Price Index data. The chickens specifically used for laying eggs are separate from other chickens raised for meat, also known as "broilers." Broiler chickens can also get sick with the bird flu but have been less susceptible to the current outbreak because they have a shorter life span and are usually slaughtered within two months. Less time on a farm means there's less opportunity for broilers to get infected. Meanwhile, egg-laying hens take longer to mature and start producing eggs after four or five months. They have been hit much harder than broilers by the bird flu, making up 75% of the birds affected from the start of the outbreak in 2022. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill Friday that seeks to help with the rising cost of eggs in the state due to the increase in bird flu. "This bipartisan legislation represents how effective the legislature can be when they work together," Lombardo said in a statement. The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 171, was just introduced in the state legislature two weeks ago. It bypasses a 2021 state law that says only cage-free eggs must be sold in Nevada. The law will allow the state's quarantine officer to temporarily allow the sale of non-cage-free eggs, or Grade B eggs, for up to 120 days to help increase the supply of eggs to stores. Under the new law, small farmers will also be able to sell their eggs to retailers. Grade B eggs are safe to eat but usually aren't found in retail stores because "they are used to make liquid, frozen and dried egg products," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the first study under the Trump administration on the bird flu outbreak. The delayed release of the report comes after a January order from the administration that temporarily halted the release of public communications from federal health agencies until approved by a Trump appointee. The CDC study found bird flu antibodies in three cattle veterinarians who were tested last fall (out of 150 who were tested in total). The presence of antibodies indicates that those three veterinarians had the virus at some point, even though they didn't experience symptoms. The authors said this finding means there could be people and animals infected with bird flu in states where infection in dairy cattle hasn't been identified yet. Egg prices rose more than 15% from December to January. A dozen eggs cost about $4.95, which is "five times the overall U.S. inflation rate of 3%," CBS News reported using Consumer Price Index data. Soaring egg prices have brought nationwide attention to the widespread impact of the bird flu outbreak. Millions of birds, including chickens and ducks, have had to be euthanized since the start of the H5N1 outbreak, in 2022. While egg prices will continue to rise, they are expected to do so at a slower rate. The spike we saw in January "is likely a one-off," Gregory Daco, EY-Parthenon chief economist, told CBS News. The Ohio Department of Health reported the state's first probable human case of bird flu on Wednesday. This brings the total number of reported human cases to 69 across 12 states. A man who works on a farm in Mercer County in western Ohio came into contact with deceased commercial poultry that was infected with the virus. The health department says the overall risk to people in the state remains low, but it warned that humans should avoid direct contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds. The Buckeye State has been experiencing the most bird flu outbreaks in the U.S., with more than 10 million birds affected by the virus across at least 54 commercial flocks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hundreds of thousands of chickens in Jay County, Ind., were determined to have been infected with the bird flu, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced this week. Over 912,000 egg-laying hens are under quarantine at a farm, officials said. The farm has not been publicly identified. It's the second-largest outbreak in the state since the global bird flu outbreak started in 2022. The largest outbreak in Indiana occurred in January at Seymour-based Rose Acre Farms, which is the second-largest U.S. egg producer, with over 2.6 million birds affected. More than 300 dead wild birds have been discovered across five Michigan counties so far in 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Here's where they have been found: Allegan County: 77 dead Canada geese, one dead mallard from Allegan State Game Area Shiawassee County: More than 80 dead Canada geese along the Shiawassee River near Owosso Ingham County: Roughly 25 dead Canada geese at Williamston Lakes Eaton County: 20 dead wild birds along the Grand River in Grand Ledge Washtenaw County: About 100 dead wild birds "If you find a dead wild bird, you should leave it alone; however, if you need to remove it, do not touch it with your bare hands. You should wear gloves and other personal protective equipment," said Mitch Marcus, DNR wildlife health supervisor. "The best advice we can give is to treat every wild bird as though it has a disease." Various parks around the New Jersey borough of Allentown are closed after about 30 dead Canadian geese that were removed over the weekend are suspected to have been infected with bird flu. Dr. Farmer's Park, Pete Sensi Park and a part of Heritage Park, all located close to Trenton, will remain closed while officials figure out what the best options are for public health safety, the borough's mayor, Thomas Fritts, said. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said the birds collected may be tested for bird flu, but it's not verified as the cause of death. "We also may not send samples in if there's been a recent positive in the area,' Tanya Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Health and Plant Inspection Service, wrote in an email to NJ Advance Media. 'It's presumed since we know there is active (avian influenza) that birds died from it.' Three of the top five states that produce the most milk in the U.S. — Texas, Wisconsin and Idaho — are not participating in a voluntary milk testing program that was started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after dairy cows were infected with the bird flu last March. More recently, a new variant of the bird flu was detected in dairy cows in Nevada. NBC News reports: While the risk to humans remains low, many public and animal health experts argue that broad, nationwide testing of milk is critical to containing virus cases that might otherwise go undetected, giving the variants more opportunities to spread to animals — and to humans. "It is incredibly difficult to control a disease of national importance unless we have a robust surveillance system in place," said Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, which represents cow veterinarians. "If we were testing every dairy, I don't think you'd have any cases slipping through the cracks." Read more from NBC: Bird flu is spreading in cattle, but some states still aren't part of U.S. milk testing Grocery chains like Costco, Trader Joe's, Sam's Club, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger across the country are introducing limits on the number of eggs a customer can buy in one trip, due to the egg shortage from the nationwide avian flu outbreak. Here's a list of some stores and how they are cracking down: Costco: In some locations, egg purchases are capped at three dozen. Trader Joe's: The store has a nationwide limit of one dozen eggs per customer per day. Sam's Club: There's a limit of two packages per customer. Walmart: Customers in certain states are limited to two 60-count egg cartons per trip. Whole Foods: Shoppers can only buy three cartons of eggs at a time. Kroger: The store has not implemented a national limit, but some stores are limiting customers to buying two dozen eggs per trip. As of Feb. 24, 70 cases of bird flu detected in humans have been confirmed across 13 U.S. states due to exposure from infected commercial poultry, dairy cattle herds or other animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current public health risk of bird flu is low. The states where human cases of bird flu have thus far been identified are Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Wyoming. A new study suggests it's possible for humans to give their pet cats bird flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health experts already know that cats can catch bird flu by consuming raw food, milk or dead birds that are infected, which can cause extreme illness and deaths in felines. But the latest study reveals that cats are susceptible to the virus even without direct exposure to infected dairy cows or poultry. While the CDC notes there have been no cases of human-to human bird flu transmission, "the study illustrates concerns about bird flu continuing to mutate to increase the risk for transmission to and among humans," USA Today reported. Read more from USA Today: People can give their cats bird flu, CDC study suggests Two cats were euthanized after they became severely ill with bird flu from eating raw pet food produced by Wild Coast Pet Foods, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Oregon and Washington states sold specific lots that are linked to the virus. The company's founder, Tyler Duncan, issued a statement notifying customers that the following product has been pulled: 24 oz. chicken feline formula with lot numbers 22660 and 22664, with a best-buy date of 12/2025. "If you have either of these Lot numbers please dispose immediately and contact your place of purchase for a full refund," Duncan advised in the statement. "If you currently feed our chicken formula and are concerned, I recommend cooking until 165 degrees, replacing with a non-poultry formula or replacing with a gently cooked formula." Turkey is exporting about 15,000 metric tons of eggs — around 700 containers — to the U.S. amid shortages and soaring prices due to the bird flu outbreak, which has killed millions of egg-laying hens. "We support the temporary import of egg products to help ease the strain on the U.S. egg supply," Chad Gregory, CEO of United Egg Producers, a cooperative that represents U.S. egg farmers, told Reuters. The shipments, which started this month, will continue until July, according to Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey. The U.S. negotiated a deal with Turkish producers as it sought alternative solutions to egg shortages. The deal is expected to create $26 million in export revenue for Turkey, according to Afyon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to rehire several employees it accidentally fired who are working on the federal government's response to the bird flu outbreak. They were among thousands of employees whose jobs have been eliminated at the direction of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, in an effort to carry out the Trump administration's goal of reshaping the federal government. 'Although several [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] positions supporting [bird flu] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters,' the department spokesperson said. Those jobs help to oversee the network of labs across the U.S. that the USDA relies on to confirm cases of bird flu, Politico and NBC News reported. Health experts believe the primary way that H5N1 bird flu has spread onto farms is through the feces of wild birds. But a 2024 investigation in the Czech Republic of chickens on a highly secure, state-of-the-art farm has concluded that the virus could have been spread there by the wind. 'The whole idea of potentially being sort of wind-driven has been out there for a while,' Dr. Richard Webby, who directs the World Health Organization's Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, told CNN. Webby added that the spread of the virus due to wind doesn't necessarily make bird flu a bigger threat to humans. While it takes just a small amount of virus to infect a bird, it takes a more substantial amount to infect humans, he said. Yes. Since last summer, U.S. public health agencies have been preparing millions of doses of a vaccine for H5N1 bird flu. By this spring, about 10 million doses will be available, or enough to vaccinate 5 million people, a spokesperson at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response told NBC News. The reason federal officials haven't authorized a bird flu vaccine for humans at this time is thatillnesses have been relatively mild and don't require hospitalization. Currently, there's no human-to-human transmission evidence and the virus's risk to the general public is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Should a bird flu vaccine be needed for humans, the national stockpile should be sufficient for immunizing first responders and at-risk populations. The American Veterinary Medical Association is encouraging owners of backyard flocks or pet birds to take precautions in areas where there are currently bird flu outbreaks. Make sure backyard bird areas are fully enclosed, away from wild birds and their feces. Pet birds should be brought indoors. Before and after handling birds, wash and sanitize your hands. Keep feed, drinking water, equipment and other supplies used to care for backyard flocks away from wild birds or rodents. Avoid visits to places where other birds are kept. Visitors should be kept away from the flock or pet bird. Know the signs and symptoms of bird flu in your backyard flock, provided here. Report any suspected infections to your veterinarian or state animal health official. The first human case of bird flu in Wyoming was confirmed on Friday, the state's Department of Health said in a statement. State health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said an older woman was hospitalized with the virus. She added the woman has health conditions that make her more vulnerable to illness and noted she was "likely exposed to the virus through direct contact with an infected poultry flock at her home." The state's health department noted the Wyoming case was the third instance of hospitalization linked to bird flu in the United States. 'We want to remind people there has been no documented human-to-human virus transmission of this virus in the United States so far,' Harrist said, adding that bird flu does not require a high level of concern among Wyoming residents. The demand for vegan egg substitutes is on the rise, as chicken egg prices spike amid a nationwide bird flu outbreak. Vegan egg companies like Eat Just saw January sales increase five times compared with last year. The company, which makes Just Egg branded products, uses mung beans and canola oil in its liquid-form egg substitute. The sales of those products have expanded at retailers. "Just Egg sales have accelerated, with one major chain, which the company declined to name, posting weekly gains on a year-over-year basis as high as 70%," Bloomberg reported. Egg prices have risen 53% over the last year, including a 15% increase in January alone. But the cost of chicken meat has barely risen 1% since this time last year, according to recent Consumer Price Index data. The chickens specifically used for laying eggs are separate from other chickens raised for meat, also known as "broilers." Broiler chickens can also get sick with the bird flu but have been less susceptible to the current outbreak because they have a shorter life span and are usually slaughtered within two months. Less time on a farm means there's less opportunity for broilers to get infected. Meanwhile, egg-laying hens take longer to mature and start producing eggs after four or five months. They have been hit much harder than broilers by the bird flu, making up 75% of the birds affected from the start of the outbreak in 2022. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a bill Friday that seeks to help with the rising cost of eggs in the state due to the increase in bird flu. "This bipartisan legislation represents how effective the legislature can be when they work together," Lombardo said in a statement. The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 171, was just introduced in the state legislature two weeks ago. It bypasses a 2021 state law that says only cage-free eggs must be sold in Nevada. The law will allow the state's quarantine officer to temporarily allow the sale of non-cage-free eggs, or Grade B eggs, for up to 120 days to help increase the supply of eggs to stores. Under the new law, small farmers will also be able to sell their eggs to retailers. Grade B eggs are safe to eat but usually aren't found in retail stores because "they are used to make liquid, frozen and dried egg products," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the first study under the Trump administration on the bird flu outbreak. The delayed release of the report comes after a January order from the administration that temporarily halted the release of public communications from federal health agencies until approved by a Trump appointee. The CDC study found bird flu antibodies in three cattle veterinarians who were tested last fall (out of 150 who were tested in total). The presence of antibodies indicates that those three veterinarians had the virus at some point, even though they didn't experience symptoms. The authors said this finding means there could be people and animals infected with bird flu in states where infection in dairy cattle hasn't been identified yet. Egg prices rose more than 15% from December to January. A dozen eggs cost about $4.95, which is "five times the overall U.S. inflation rate of 3%," CBS News reported using Consumer Price Index data. Soaring egg prices have brought nationwide attention to the widespread impact of the bird flu outbreak. Millions of birds, including chickens and ducks, have had to be euthanized since the start of the H5N1 outbreak, in 2022. While egg prices will continue to rise, they are expected to do so at a slower rate. The spike we saw in January "is likely a one-off," Gregory Daco, EY-Parthenon chief economist, told CBS News. The Ohio Department of Health reported the state's first probable human case of bird flu on Wednesday. This brings the total number of reported human cases to 69 across 12 states. A man who works on a farm in Mercer County in western Ohio came into contact with deceased commercial poultry that was infected with the virus. The health department says the overall risk to people in the state remains low, but it warned that humans should avoid direct contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds. The Buckeye State has been experiencing the most bird flu outbreaks in the U.S., with more than 10 million birds affected by the virus across at least 54 commercial flocks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hundreds of thousands of chickens in Jay County, Ind., were determined to have been infected with the bird flu, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced this week. Over 912,000 egg-laying hens are under quarantine at a farm, officials said. The farm has not been publicly identified. It's the second-largest outbreak in the state since the global bird flu outbreak started in 2022. The largest outbreak in Indiana occurred in January at Seymour-based Rose Acre Farms, which is the second-largest U.S. egg producer, with over 2.6 million birds affected. More than 300 dead wild birds have been discovered across five Michigan counties so far in 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Here's where they have been found: Allegan County: 77 dead Canada geese, one dead mallard from Allegan State Game Area Shiawassee County: More than 80 dead Canada geese along the Shiawassee River near Owosso Ingham County: Roughly 25 dead Canada geese at Williamston Lakes Eaton County: 20 dead wild birds along the Grand River in Grand Ledge Washtenaw County: About 100 dead wild birds "If you find a dead wild bird, you should leave it alone; however, if you need to remove it, do not touch it with your bare hands. You should wear gloves and other personal protective equipment," said Mitch Marcus, DNR wildlife health supervisor. "The best advice we can give is to treat every wild bird as though it has a disease." Various parks around the New Jersey borough of Allentown are closed after about 30 dead Canadian geese that were removed over the weekend are suspected to have been infected with bird flu. Dr. Farmer's Park, Pete Sensi Park and a part of Heritage Park, all located close to Trenton, will remain closed while officials figure out what the best options are for public health safety, the borough's mayor, Thomas Fritts, said. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said the birds collected may be tested for bird flu, but it's not verified as the cause of death. "We also may not send samples in if there's been a recent positive in the area,' Tanya Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Health and Plant Inspection Service, wrote in an email to NJ Advance Media. 'It's presumed since we know there is active (avian influenza) that birds died from it.' Three of the top five states that produce the most milk in the U.S. — Texas, Wisconsin and Idaho — are not participating in a voluntary milk testing program that was started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after dairy cows were infected with the bird flu last March. More recently, a new variant of the bird flu was detected in dairy cows in Nevada. NBC News reports: While the risk to humans remains low, many public and animal health experts argue that broad, nationwide testing of milk is critical to containing virus cases that might otherwise go undetected, giving the variants more opportunities to spread to animals — and to humans. "It is incredibly difficult to control a disease of national importance unless we have a robust surveillance system in place," said Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, executive director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, which represents cow veterinarians. "If we were testing every dairy, I don't think you'd have any cases slipping through the cracks." Read more from NBC: Bird flu is spreading in cattle, but some states still aren't part of U.S. milk testing Grocery chains like Costco, Trader Joe's, Sam's Club, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger across the country are introducing limits on the number of eggs a customer can buy in one trip, due to the egg shortage from the nationwide avian flu outbreak. Here's a list of some stores and how they are cracking down: Costco: In some locations, egg purchases are capped at three dozen. Trader Joe's: The store has a nationwide limit of one dozen eggs per customer per day. Sam's Club: There's a limit of two packages per customer. Walmart: Customers in certain states are limited to two 60-count egg cartons per trip. Whole Foods: Shoppers can only buy three cartons of eggs at a time. Kroger: The store has not implemented a national limit, but some stores are limiting customers to buying two dozen eggs per trip.
CBS News
19-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Raw pet food is recalled and warnings issued in two states after cats die of bird flu
Some lots of raw pet food sold in two states are being recalled after two indoor cats became ill with bird flu earlier this month and were euthanized due to the severity of their illnesses. Officials in Oregon and Washington issued public health alerts late last week after tests confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the felines, which lived in different households in Multnomah County, Oregon. Both cats had eaten the same brand of raw pet food before becoming ill, according to the notices. The virus was found in both the cats and food samples, including unopened containers, they said. As a result, Wild Coast Pet Foods is recalling Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Lot #22660 and #22664 with a best-buy date of December 2025. People with the recalled product should dispose of immediately and contact the place of purchase for a refund. "If you currently feed our chicken formula and are concerned, I recommend cooking until 165 degrees, replacing with a non-poultry formula or replacing with a gently cooked formula," Tyler Duncan, founder of the company said in a statement posted on the company's website. Wild Coast's products are sold at retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon, with plans to expand to California, according to its website. Cats and HPAI Domestic and wild cats are particularly sensitive to bird flu. Dogs can also contract HPAI, but usually exhibit mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "At present, HPAI has not been detected in dogs in the United States, but there have been fatal cases in other countries," the FDA stated. The agency in January cited several recent investigations indicating the virus had been transmitted to cats through food, with more than a dozen cats killed or sickened by HPAI, most often by consuming unpasteurized milk or raw meats. The Oregon Department of Agriculture offers the following tips to protect pets: Do no feed your pet undercooked or raw meat, including uncooked or freeze-dried meat-based diets, treats or animal products. Do not feed your pet raw (unpasteurized) milk or colostrum. Stop pets from eating birds or other wild animals. Wash your hands after touching raw meat or interacting with poultry, livestock or animals outside your home. Consider changing clothing and shoes after interacting with animals or birds and before interacting with your pets. Contact your veterinarian if your pet appears sick and let them know of potential exposures. Pets with HPAI infections may experience fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, seizure, incoordination, or blindness. If your pet has consumed this product and has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately, The Washington State Department of Agriculture advised. The current human health risk is low, but people exposed should watch for symptoms like eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, and pet owners or handlers showing these signs should contact their healthcare providers. The Wild Coast recall is not the first of its kind, with Northwest Naturals recalling a batch of pet food in December after a cat died of bird flu in Oregon. That late 2024 action involved 2-pound bags of Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food, marked with best if used by dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold in a dozen U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington. It was also sold in British Columbia in Canada.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Raw pet food pulled after cats die with bird flu. Check these lots before feeding your pet
The Oregon Department of Agriculture urged pet owners to check the lot numbers on Wild Coast Raw pet food they have at home and stop feeding the product to their animals if they match certain lots after two cats were euthanized after eating it. The cats became severely ill with bird flu, authorities said, after they ate the same brand of raw pet food, the latest in a string of pet deaths linked to the virus. Testing confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in both cats, which lived in separate households, and samples of the raw food, the department said in a statement. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has also issued a public health notice warning consumers about the risk of some of Wild Coast Raw's products, which are produced in Olympia, Wa. Oregon health officials urged pet owners not to feed their animals undercooked or raw meat or raw (unpasteurized) milk, which is believed to have previously sickened and killed barn cats. Tyler Duncan, founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, said in a statement that the company is halting sales of lot #22660 and #22664 of their Chicken Feline Formula with a best buy date of 12/2025. He said customers should dispose of the product and request a full refund from the place they purchased it. "If you currently feed our chicken formula and are concerned, I recommend cooking until 165 degrees, replacing with a non-poultry formula or replacing with a gently cooked formula," Duncan said. Duncan said Wild Coast mainly sources its chicken meat from California and only buys human-grade poultry manufactured in facilities inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The company is working with a third-party lab for internal screening for bird flu in its food. Raw food for pets is all the rage. Is the fad worth the risk of bird flu, salmonella? California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the bird flu outbreak which has wiped out millions of the state's chickens and turkeys in recent months and infected about two-thirds of the state's dairy herds since the end of August. Last month, Los Angeles County health officials warned residents about another brand of pet food, Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at farmers markets in California after the H5 bird flu virus was detected in product samples and was believed to have sickened five cats. That warning came a week after another brand, Northwest Naturals, recalled a line of raw and frozen chow linked to the death of another cat in Oregon that contracted bird flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies dating back to 2012 have found that raw pet foods are far more likely to carry disease. Despite pet deaths, recalls and health authority warnings, raw pet food has grown into a $3 billion industry in the U.S. Domestic cats have been known to carry bird flu since 2004. But the death rates seen in the current U.S. outbreak seem dramatically higher than what's been seen around the world, Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, previously told USA TODAY. Before, about half of cats died, but now about 90% seem to be dying, said Coleman, who has been tracking those deaths. Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, Michael Loria and Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Company stops selling some raw pet foods after cats die with bird flu
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Two Oregon cats euthanized after contracting bird flu linked to raw pet food brand
Two cats in Oregon were euthanized after they ate the same brand of raw pet food and became severely ill with bird flu, state officials said late last week. The Oregon Department of Agriculture urged pet owners to check the lot numbers on Wild Coast Raw pet food they have at home and stop feeding the product to their animals if they match the affected lot. Testing confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in both cats, which lived in separate households, and samples of the raw food, the department said in a statement. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has also issued a public health notice warning consumers about the risk of some of Wild Coast Raw's products, which are produced in Olympia, Wa. Oregon health officials urged pet owners not to feed their animals undercooked or raw meat or raw (unpasteurized) milk, which is believed to have previously sickened and killed barn cats. Tyler Duncan, founder of Wild Coast Pet Foods, said in a statement that the company is halting sales of two lots of their Chicken Feline Formula with a best buy date of 12/2025. He said customers should dispose of the product and request a full refund from the place they purchased it. "If you currently feed our chicken formula and are concerned, I recommend cooking until 165 degrees, replacing with a non-poultry formula or replacing with a gently cooked formula," Duncan said. Duncan told Reuters Wild Coast mainly sources its chicken meat from California and only buys human-grade poultry manufactured in facilities inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Duncan told the outlet the company is working with a third-party lab for internal screening of bird flu in its food. Raw food for pets is all the the fad worth the risk of bird flu, salmonella? California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the bird flu outbreak which has wiped out millions of the state's chickens and turkeys in recent months and infected about two-thirds of the state's dairy herds since the end of August. Last month, Los Angeles County health officials warned residents about another brand of pet food, Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at farmers markets in California after the H5 bird flu virus was detected in product samples and was believed to have sickened five cats. That warning came a week after another brand, Northwest Naturals, recalled a line of raw and frozen chow linked to the death of another cat in Oregon that contracted bird flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies dating back to 2012 have found that raw pet foods are far more likely to carry disease. Despite pet deaths, recalls and health authority warnings, raw pet food has grown into a $3 billion industry in the U.S. Domestic cats have been known to carry bird flu since 2004. But the death rates seen in the current U.S. outbreak seem dramatically higher than what's been seen around the world, Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, previously told USA TODAY. Before, about half of cats died, but now about 90% seem to be dying, said Coleman, who has been tracking those deaths. Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, Michael Loria and Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY; Reuters
