A home cat in Washington County contracted chook flu and died after consuming Northwest Naturals uncooked frozen pet meals, in response to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
The state issued an alert Christmas Eve about Morasch Meats of Portland’s voluntary recall of Northwest Naturals’ two-pound feline turkey recipe.
State veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz mentioned the agriculture division is assured the cat contracted the virus by consuming the uncooked pet meals.
“This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not uncovered to the virus in its atmosphere,” Scholz mentioned in a press release.
The meals examined constructive for an H5N1 pressure of the avian influenza virus, and assessments confirmed a genetic match between the virus within the uncooked and frozen pet meals and the contaminated cat, in response to Scholz.
The Oregon Health Authority and native public well being officers are monitoring the family members who had contact with the cat for potential flu signs. So far, no human circumstances have been linked to the contaminated cat.
The recalled meals is packaged in two-pound plastic baggage with “Best if Used by,” dates of May 21, 2026 and June, 23, 2026.
Morasch Meats, a Portland-based firm, offered the meals nationwide.
Pet house owners are urged to verify their provides and eliminate the product.
To keep away from the unfold of the illness, state and federal officers encourage folks and their pets to keep away from consuming uncooked or undercooked meat, uncooked dairy, restrict contact with sick or useless animals and report sick or useless birds to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at 503-986-4711.
— Maxine Bernstein covers federal courtroom and prison justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, observe her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.
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