Latest news with #WSDA
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials share update about 'murder hornet' population in the US: 'We'll always be keeping an eye out'
There's one fewer invasive species to worry about in the U.S., thanks to the hard work of scientists and wildlife officials. Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) have officially been eradicated from the U.S., the Travel reported. Also called northern giant hornets or, more commonly, "murder hornets," Asian giant hornets are the largest wasps in the world, growing up to two inches long. They're native to South and East Asia but were first spotted in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2019. In December of the same year, they were also spotted in Washington State, U.S., causing panic among residents. Wildlife officials have been trying to eradicate this invasive species since 2019, and it looks like their hard work has finally paid off. According to the Washington State Standard, the officials sent out teams to search for the murder hornets. They captured one, placed a small tag on it, and used it to trace its nest by tracking it with radio transmitter beeps. The officials followed it back to its nest and destroyed the entire colony, per BBC. Now, three years after no sightings, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the USDA announced that the murder hornets have officially been eradicated. Invasive species pose a threat to both humans and native insects, and Asian giant hornets are no exception. Their stings are very painful and could be deadly to people with bee sting allergies. They're also a threat to honey bee populations; they often coordinate group attacks on honey bee nests, and per the Washington State Standard, they can take down an entire hive by decapitating the bees. Protecting native pollinators like honey bees is important because they help pollinate plants and crops, making them crucial to the ecosystem for food production and biodiversity. Just as eradicating invasive insects like murder hornets protects native pollinators, homeowners can also support pollinators by rewilding their yard to replace invasive or non-native plants with native ones. Rewilding the yard also offers a wide range of benefits, like lower maintenance costs, reduced reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, restoration of natural habitats, and provision of food sources for pollinators. This allows homeowners to restore ecological balance and support biodiversity while saving money. Homeowners can also help officials keep a lookout for invasive species that threaten pollinators. "Although they are now eradicated from the state, we'll always be keeping an eye out for them and encourage community members to do the same," WSDA pest program manager Sven Spichiger told the Travel. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Another cat food is being recalled for bird flu risk
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) says another pet food company is recalling some products over bird flu risks. Savage Cat Food, a California-based company, is asking pet owners to throw away any 'Small Chicken Boxes' or 'Large Chicken Boxes' with lot number 11152026. The WSDA says they were sold in multiple states, including Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. The products were also sold online. Savage Cat Food says one cat in Colorado contracted the bird flu and has since recovered. The company tested three lots of the food, and two others came back negative. 'Savage Pet has always been dedicated to the health of its feline consumers. All of our poultry ingredients are USDA inspected and passed. Our suppliers follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan and work under daily USDA inspection. Savage Pet has adhered to Good Manufacturing Practices and sanitation standard operating procedures for almost 10 years,' the company said in an online note to its customers. Last month, Wild Coast Raw recalled two lots of food after several cats fell ill in Washington and Oregon. Two cats from Washington who ate the food tested positive for bird flu. One had to be humanely euthanized because of the severity of the illness. Pet owners who feed their animals West Coast Raw are urged to check what products they have. Anyone with Lots #22660 and #22664 with a 'Best By Date' of 12/2025 should throw it away immediately. If your pet ate the food and develops a fever, becomes lethargic, has a low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, seizure, incoordination, or blindness—take them to the vet immediately. WSDA said no human infections have been reported, but people can become infected if the virus enters through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2 indoor cats contract bird flu in WA
The Brief Washington state officials report some indoor cats have tested positive for bird flu. The WSDA has tips for keeping your pets safe as the virus spreads, primarily to common cat food sources. SEATTLE - As the bird flu continues to spread, causing skyrocketing egg prices across the country, new reports reveal some house cats in Washington have now tested positive for the virus. Washington State Department of Agriculture issued a pet health alert on Monday after two confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in indoor cats. The organization pointed to three tips for preventing your cats having the same infection: What you can do They recommend the following measures for pet safety: Check your pet food. Watch for symptoms in your pets, including lethargy, respiratory issues, or loss of appetite. Report any suspected illness to your veterinarian immediately. Dig deeper In late 2024, FOX 13 reported the bird flu killed 20 exotic and big cats at a Washington sanctuary. The Source Information for this report comes from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Gov. Ferguson details $4 billion in spending cuts to address WA deficit Parents petition to remove WA substitute principal after past admissions of drug use 'Oops I did a crime': WA high school teacher charged with child porn First WA measles case of 2025 confirmed in King County infant 3.2 magnitude earthquake rocks east King County, WA To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu leads to pet food recalls as experts urge caution
A Washington company has recalled pet food products amid the ongoing bird flu outbreaks. On March 1, Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, has recalled its frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, according to a March 1 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product could potentially contain the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the statement cautioned. Animals who eat contaminated food can contract the virus. New Bird Flu Strain Detected On Poultry Farm As Experts Monitor Mutations The recall affects 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes of the product. Lot numbers are listed on the FDA's website. The announcement comes days after the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) warned pet owners that at least two domestic, indoor cats have tested positive for the HPAI strain of bird flu. Read On The Fox News App "One of the cats was euthanized due to the severity of the illness," the WSDA stated in the Feb. 26 announcement. "The second cat is being treated by a veterinarian." Minnesota Declares State Of Emergency As Diseases Cripple Midwestern Farms "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." Pet owners whose animals ate any of the recalled products should monitor for any bird flu symptoms, including fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination or blindness, according to the FDA's announcement. Pets with these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian. "Cats have previously been seen to become infected with bird flu through presumed contact with infected birds," David J. Cennimo, MD, professor of infectious diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Fox News Digital. "More recently, ingesting raw food that was made with chickens or other birds that were infected with avian influenza has resulted in cat infections. This is why raw food poses some danger and should be recalled if contaminated with avian influenza." There have not been cases reported of infections transmitted by cooked bird products, Cennimo noted, "so these remain safe for pets as well as humans." There have been no reports of humans contracting bird flu after handling raw pet food, but there is the potential for transmission if the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, the FDA warned. To prevent this, the agency recommends that people wash their hands after handling the raw product and sanitizing contact surfaces such as countertops, refrigerators, bowls or utensils. "People who handled contaminated products should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting," the FDA recommended. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "People exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider and local health department." Experts also recommend that pet owners isolate sick animals and use proper precautions when caring for them. The WSDA advises against feeding raw pet food or raw milk to animals, its announcement stated. "Public health monitors all people exposed to animals infected with HPAI through 10 days following their last exposure," the agency stated. For more Health articles, visit More than 80 domestic cats have been confirmed to have contracted bird flu since 2022, according to KFF Health News. Fox News Digital reached out to Wild Coast Raw requesting article source: Bird flu leads to pet food recalls as experts urge caution
Fox News
03-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Bird flu leads to pet food recalls as experts urge caution
A Washington company has recalled pet food products amid the ongoing bird flu outbreaks. On March 1, Wild Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington, has recalled its frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, according to a March 1 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product could potentially contain the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the statement cautioned. Animals who eat contaminated food can contract the virus. The recall affects 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes of the product. Lot numbers are listed on the FDA's website. The announcement comes days after the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) warned pet owners that at least two domestic, indoor cats have tested positive for the HPAI strain of bird flu. "One of the cats was euthanized due to the severity of the illness," the WSDA stated in the Feb. 26 announcement. "The second cat is being treated by a veterinarian." "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." Pet owners whose animals ate any of the recalled products should monitor for any bird flu symptoms, including fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination or blindness, according to the FDA's announcement. Pets with these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian. "Cats have previously been seen to become infected with bird flu through presumed contact with infected birds," David J. Cennimo, MD, professor of infectious diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told Fox News Digital. "More recently, ingesting raw food that was made with chickens or other birds that were infected with avian influenza has resulted in cat infections. This is why raw food poses some danger and should be recalled if contaminated with avian influenza." There have not been cases reported of infections transmitted by cooked bird products, Cennimo noted, "so these remain safe for pets as well as humans." There have been no reports of humans contracting bird flu after handling raw pet food, but there is the potential for transmission if the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, the FDA warned. To prevent this, the agency recommends that people wash their hands after handling the raw product and sanitizing contact surfaces such as countertops, refrigerators, bowls or utensils. "If your cat is showing symptoms, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible." "People who handled contaminated products should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting," the FDA recommended. "People exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider and local health department." Experts also recommend that pet owners isolate sick animals and use proper precautions when caring for them. The WSDA advises against feeding raw pet food or raw milk to animals, its announcement stated. "Public health monitors all people exposed to animals infected with HPAI through 10 days following their last exposure," the agency stated. For more Health articles, visit More than 80 domestic cats have been confirmed to have contracted bird flu since 2022, according to KFF Health News. Fox News Digital reached out to Wild Coast Raw requesting comment.
