Two New York City cats died from the bird flu in cases tied to a raw cat food provider, the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene reported on Saturday.
The Health Department advised New Yorkers to avoid feeding their pets food from Savage Cat Food, a California-based company that has voluntarily recalled some of its poultry products. The FDA notes that bird flu can be transmitted to cats that eat food made from infected animals.
A city Health Department investigation found that no fewer than two cats contracted the bird flu after consuming Savage Cat Food poultry packets tied to the same lot number: 11152026. The department is also investigating a third suspected case of feline bird flu.
Even so, the Health Department insists that “the overall risk of bird flu to the public remains low” and that to date, “no human has developed bird flu in New York City.”
“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 acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low. 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 at this time.”
Savage Cat Food sells what it calls “prey-based cat food,” which is raw food tailored to a cat’s instinctual appetite, including real animal bone and marrow. The company makes packets containing chicken, rabbit, lamb and duck.
On its website, Savage Cat Food said it has voluntarily recalled its poultry products after learning of bird flu cases involving cats in Colorado and New York City.
“Savage Pet has always been dedicated to the health of its feline consumers,” according to a statement on the company’s website. “All of our poultry ingredients are USDA-inspected and passed for human consumption. Our suppliers follow the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which monitors for H5/H7 and work under daily USDA inspection.”
Symptoms and warnings
The two New York City cats confirmed to have contracted bird flu experienced symptoms including fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory disease. Both cats died from the infection.
Testing of samples from each cat at the Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed that the cats had contracted H5N1 bird flu.
The Health Department says that one of the cats that succumbed to bird flu did not eat the infected product — but had been exposed to the bird flu by a third cat, which had a poultry packet from Savage Cat Food lot number 11152026. The third cat suffered a fever but survived.
Humans who came in contact with the infected cats were advised to monitor their health, with proper arrangements made for testing, treatment and prophylaxis if needed, the Health Department noted.
Meanwhile, the agency advises pet owners to avoid feeding their pets raw food or raw milk, as they may be potentially exposed to bird flu or other pathogens. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has eaten raw food and exhibits symptoms of illness. Make sure to isolate any sick pets from other pets in your households.
Cats should be kept indoors, and dog handlers should avoid dead or sick animals while walking their canines outside.
Meanwhile, Savage Cat advises that pet owners who have a recalled product either throw it out or return it to the store where they bought it for a refund.
