Latest news with #WashingtonStateDepartmentofAgriculture
7NEWS
01-06-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
250 million bees released onto road on the Canadian-US border as truck overturns
A semi-truck carrying 250 million bees and their hives overturned on the Canadian - US border on Friday, unleashing an ominous cloud of unhappily buzzing insects. But more than two dozen volunteer beekeepers from the region of Whatcom County, snuggled along the U.S.-Canada border, may have saved the day, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said. They helped restore hives that had become dislodged in the crash on a Washington state roadway, it said. 'Hive boxes from the overturned truck were recovered, restored and returned to use,' the sheriff's office said. 'By morning, most bees should have returned to their hives and those responsible for their delivery will be in charge.' It appears the driver did not navigate a tight turn well enough, causing the trailer to roll into a ditch, county emergency management spokeswoman Amy Cloud said. The driver was uninjured. 'The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible' The workday started with more uncertainty than optimism, as the crash shut down a roadway and inspired the sheriff's office to warn residents it could take a few days to corral the escapees. 'The plan is to allow the bees to re-hive and find their queen bee,' the office said. 'That should occur within the next 24–48 hours. The goal is to save as many of the bees as possible.' Katie Buckley, the pollinator health coordinator for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, indicated many of the bees will not only survive but reconnect with their hives and travel on to their destination. 'Bees are actually surprisingly sturdy,' she said. Locals were still urged to avoid the bees, and the area of the overturned semi-truck, because they were probably unhappy about being ejected, even if separation from their hives is temporary. 'They're also probably having a bad day,' she said. Sheriff's deputies were seen diving into their squad cars at times to avoid being stung. The sheriff's office, meanwhile, said the roadway could reopen Saturday morning, when the insects' owners would most likely take over, according to a statement. A local news outlet said it was working to determine where the bees were headed. The sheriff's office did not say. The sheriff's office thanked 'the wonderful community of beekeepers', saying that its members 'showed up to help ensure the rescue of millions of pollinating honey bees would be as successful as possible'. Honeybees are crucial to the food supply, pollinating over 100 crops including nuts, vegetables, berries, citrus and melons. Bees and other pollinators have been declining for years, and experts blame insecticides, parasites, disease, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply. Beekeepers often transport millions of bees from one location to another because leaving them in one location for too long can deplete resources for other pollinators. -With AP
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Seattle weather: How to prepare for predicted thunderstorms, large hail
Weather agencies around Western Washington are warning residents to brace for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday. KIRO 7 Meteorologist expects thunderstorms could pop along the Cascade crest in the afternoon hours, but as the disturbance moves north, thunderstorms will fire down in Oregon and southern Washington through the mid-afternoon hours, moving north quickly. Large, damaging hail is the greatest threat from these storms, with hail sizes possibly exceeding official Severe Thunderstorm criteria, which is wind gusts of 58 mph or greater and/or hail of one inch in diameter or larger. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is possible late Wednesday, meaning that the conditions for severe thunderstorms exist. Seattle has never been in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch area, and only parts of the South Sound were in such a watch area back on May 4, 2017. ⚠️ We have an unusual risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday, primarily in the late afternoon through the evening. The... Posted by US National Weather Service Seattle Washington on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The U.S. National Weather Service, Seattle, warned residents of the possible risks for large hail, strong wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes. They added a 'Storm Planning Timeline', asking community members to remain vigilant and aware of any storm warnings or notices. Other tips include reminding family of the communication plan, knowing how to evacuate and/or get to safety from where you're from, and being ready to take action at a moment's notice. Also outlined: Adjusting plans, ensuring a clean and accessible shelter, and making sure your phone can receive weather emergency alerts. The Washington State Department of Agriculture reminded residents to bring animals into sheltered areas, as hail up to 1 inch in diameter — the size of a golf ball — is possible. Additionally, make sure to batten down the hatches and secure loose materials that could break away during the storm. This includes any furniture or anything that could break outdoors. Stay indoors and seek shelter if the hail starts coming down. It's also advised to stay away from windows. If you are able, put your car into a garage or covered parking spaces to prevent damage. Be cautious of parking under trees as additional damage from falling branches is a possibility. If you are unable to cover your vehicle, consider a hail-resistant car cover. These are layered with extra padding to act as a shock absorber when the hail hits. However, these can get a bit pricey, with a generic starting price of around $50. For those looking for a more cost-effective way to protect their car, several auto experts say you can use heavy blankets or cardboard as a makeshift shield. Drivers should also consider folding in their mirrors to reduce a point of impact for damage. The Washington Emergency Management Division asked neighbors to reach out to neighbors, and make sure everyone was prepared for the incoming storms. 'Knock on some doors, talk to folks in your lobby, wave at neighbors in yards and just give them a heads up. And Seattle, in particular, this is your permission to ditch the Seattle freeze attitude and just talk to folks around you,' read the post from the Public Information Officer. Not everyone knows that a storm is coming Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. The weather today is GREAT & it's... Posted by Washington Emergency Management Division on Tuesday, March 25, 2025
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
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
01-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Another Popular Cat Food Has Been Linked to Bird Flu Igniting More Fear in Pet Parents
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is sounding alarms to pet parents after "at least two" cats have been linked to the bird flu in the state, and that's just the beginning. The WSDA shared a news release notice, which warns that its continued investigation into pet food and the spread of the bird flu in and around the state has identified more cats have been linked and its asking pet parents to be vigilant. Here's what you need to know. According to the news release, the WSDA has identified that "at least two domestic, indoor cats in King and Snohomish counties in Washington have become infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)" which is also known as "bird flu," and "more cats being tested."The notice, which was posted on the WSDA website on February 26, 2025, shares that the cat food company Wild Cost Raw pet food, were linked to the two domestic, indoor cats identified as being infected with the bird flu in Washington. According to the notice, the two identified cats tested positive for having the bird flu via laboratory results on February 24, 2025. The WSDA was notified of the results on February 25, 2025. "One of the cats was euthanized due to the severity of the illness," the notice explained. "The second cat is being treated by a veterinarian." The potentially contaminated Wild Coast Raw pet food was previously linked to severe illness in cats in Oregon earlier this month. According to the alert, the potential contamination which was linked to bird flu in cats since all the identified cats ate the same food, is the Wild Coast LLC Boneless Range Chicken Formula. This includes lots #22660 and #22664 with a "Best By Date" of 12/2025, according to the WSDA media notice. The agency is 'urging' pet parents to check their cat food stock at home for these lot numbers and best by dates and safely dispose. According to the WSDA, common signs of bird flu infection in cats includes "lethargy, low appetite, fever, hypothermia, progression of illness to pneumonia, progression of illness to neurologic abnormalities and upper respiratory infection." If your cat is showing signs of having potentially contracted Bird Flu, the WSDA notes they 'could be isolated to prevent the possible spread to other animals,' and you should report your concerns to your cat's veterinarian. 'Inform the veterinary clinic before arriving so the veterinary team can prepare to handle the cat in a manner that reduces risk of transmission to veterinary staff, other clients, and other animals,' WSDA warned. The agency says that bird flu has the potential to spread to humans, but to date there's no indication that's happened in these cases. 'The currently circulating strain of [bird flu] is considered low risk to the public,' they note, however, 'there is greater risk for those who handle contaminated raw pet food products or who care for infected animals.' Infection to people could happen from handling contaminated pet food or touching contaminated surfaces. "Caretakers should wear a well-fitting face mask and practice good hand hygiene when caring for infected animals," WSDA suggests, adding that people exposed to animals with bird flu will be monitored by public health for ten days after last exposure. Symptoms of bird fu in people may include fatigue, headache, body aches, fever, nausea, cough, sore throat, and eye redness or irritation. Pet parents "showing these signs should contact their healthcare providers." The WSDA notes its continuing to monitor the situation and currently does not 'recommend feeding raw pet food or raw milk to animals.' 🐶SIGN UP to get 'pawsitivity' delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
