A cougar is seen in a forest in autumn. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington says chook flu has killed 20 of its large cats, together with cougars, prior to now month.
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An animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash., is below quarantine after a chook flu outbreak killed 20 large cats on the facility over the previous month.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington called the deaths “heartbreaking,” confirming the virus has claimed greater than half its animals, together with 4 cougars and a half-Bengal tiger, since late November.
“Our sanctuary is below quarantine to guard our remaining animals and forestall additional unfold,” the middle stated in a press release, including it’s going to stay closed to the general public till additional discover.
The sanctuary stated the outbreak might have been attributable to respiratory secretions handed from contaminated birds to the cats or by contaminated meat fed to the cats. It stated chook flu poses a severe danger to felines, usually progressing from gentle signs to deadly pneumonia inside 24 hours.
The first cat, a cougar, died on Nov. 23 after displaying indicators of the sickness. The virus then rapidly sickened many different animals throughout the sanctuary. While a number of the cats shared a wall between their habitats, they didn’t have direct contact.
The sanctuary’s 17 surviving animals — cougars, bobcats, servals, and tigers — stay below shut remark.
In response, the sanctuary eliminated 8,000 kilos of meals from storage and commenced deep cleansing, however the nonprofit says the measures have strained its funds. “The mounting medical prices, even at discounted charges, are important,” it stated, interesting for donations to cowl bills.
The outbreak comes amid rising considerations over chook flu within the U.S.
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as a result of its unfold amongst dairy cattle, and outbreaks have been reported in wild and home chook populations throughout a number of states.
A model of cat meals additionally stated it was recalling a line of its merchandise after authorities linked the demise of a cat to a batch of feed contaminated with chook flu.
The model, Northwest Naturals, stated it was advising folks to throw out two-pound luggage of its Feline Turkey Recipe which have a best-by date between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, after the baggage examined constructive for virulent chook flu.
Experts warn that extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is changing into extra prevalent, pushed by migratory chook patterns.
While the virus primarily impacts birds, it has proven the capability to contaminate mammals, together with home pets and wildlife, below sure circumstances.
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the primary extreme human case of chook flu within the U.S. — a Louisiana resident who was hospitalized after being uncovered to yard flocks.
