Another raw pet food recall is tied to illness and death in cats
The recall is the latest in recent months tied to products potentially contaminated with the virus that has sickened and killed cats in several states, after racing through poultry and dairy cattle in the U.S. and causing illnesses in at least 70 people.
Savage Pet, of El Cajon, California, this week recalled one lot of large and small chicken boxes because they may be contaminated with Type A H5N1 influenza virus. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packages of products. The lot code and best-by date 11152026 is stamped on products. The pet food was distributed in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state.
New York City health officials this week urged consumers to avoid Savage Pet products because of the cats' illnesses.
One cat fell ill and died this month after eating the Savage Pet products. Final test results are pending, but a preliminary test for H5N1 was 'nonnegative,' which indicates that a certain amount of virus was detected, a department spokesperson said.
A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died — and tests suggested it was infected with a strain related to that found in the recalled Savage Pet food. However, that cat did not eat the food; it was exposed to a third cat that fell ill after eating the food from the implicated lot. That cat survived but was not tested.
The New York cases are the latest reports of cats in several states sickened and killed by H5N1. At least 115 bird flu infections in domestic cats have been reported to the U.S. Agriculture Department since 2022, with most logged since 2024. Cats can catch the virus from wildlife or contaminated milk and food.
Earlier this month, Wild Coast Raw, of Olympia, Washington, recalled frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses and deaths in cats in Oregon and Washington. In December, Morasch Meats of Portland, Oregon, recalled its Northwest Naturals brand of raw and frozen turkey pet food after it tested positive for the virus and was linked to the death of a local cat.
Dr. Jarra Jagne, a veterinary expert at Cornell University, said pet owners should avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet food because of the risk of bird flu as well as other germs such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli.
'I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,' she said. 'It's all about cooking.'
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK officials issue 48-hour alert amid rise in foodborne illness that killed seven
There was a 26 per cent rise in cases of the potentially deadly infection in just one year Health experts have issued Brits a 48-hour warning amid a rise in cases of an illness that has killed seven people in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told people to look out for any potential symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). STEC is a strain of that can cause diarrhoea with blood, stomach cramps, and fever. However, in some cases it can also lead to deadly complications such as sepsis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). It can be spread through contaminated food or through contact with an infected person. Therefore, the UKHSA has urged people not to prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. This comes following a 26 per cent rise in STEC cases in England in just one year. In a post made to X, the health body said: 'We've seen an increase in cases of STEC, a foodborne illness that can cause diarrhoea, bloody stools and stomach cramps. ' Children aged one to four years were most affected and we're reminding parents to make sure young children wash their hands with soap and warm water before eating. Our latest data shows that Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cases have increased by 26 per cent in 2024, compared to 2023.' The most recent figures show that a total of 2,544 culture-confirmed cases of STEC were reported in England during 2024. Young children were most affected, with the UKHSA linking this to a number of factors including weaker immunity, less developed hygiene practices, a greater likelihood of parents seeking healthcare when young children are symptomatic, and potential exposure to risk factors such as contact with farm animals, particularly at petting farms. Last year, around two per cent of STEC cases went on to develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). This condition causes small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed and can lead to kidney failure. As reported by the UKHSA, there were seven deaths caused by STEC in 2024. Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director of gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at the UKHSA, commented to say: 'STEC cases rose by around a quarter in 2024. While this rise is partly due to one foodborne outbreak, we have been seeing STEC cases gradually increase since 2022 and therefore it's important for people to take steps to prevent infection. 'If you have any STEC symptoms, like mild to bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and dehydration, wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Don't prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. 'It is important for parents to make sure that young children wash their hands with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly before eating where possible, especially after playing outdoors and visiting pet farms. If you are travelling abroad, it's important to remember routine hygiene practices to reduce your chances of becoming unwell. 'Rarely STEC can progress to cause kidney failure and life-threatening illness, particularly in young children and elderly.' She urged people to consult your GP or healthcare professional if they have blood in your stools or severe dehydration and continue to stay hydrated. In 2024, the UKHSA investigated five STEC outbreaks involving 467 cases, with 348 in England. The sources for three of these outbreaks were contaminated beef, fresh fruit, and salad leaves. The largest outbreak was linked to contaminated salad leaves which resulted in 293 cases, including 196 cases in England. Of the 293 cases, 126 cases needed hospital care, 11 developed complications of HUS, and two died. For more information, including how to protect yourself from STEC, visit the Government website here.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Bird flu case confirmed at Attleborough by Defra
A protection zone with tight biosecurity rules has been put in place after a case of bird flu was H5N1 virus was found in commercial poultry at a premises near Attleborough, Norfolk on Wednesday and all birds there will have to be culled. A 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone and 10km (6.2 mile) surveillance zone have been declared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).It is the first case in the county since restrictions were lifted on 15 May. In a protection zone, birds must be kept indoors to stop the disease spreading, while requirements are less strict in a surveillance zone but movement of birds is disease is caused by a virus that infects birds and sometimes other animals, such as foxes, seals and said the current risk to humans was low. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
E.coli infections rose 26% last year, data shows
While health chiefs said the rise was partly down to one foodborne outbreak, they also warned cases have gradually been increasing since 2022 and urged people to take steps to prevent food poisoning. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there were 2,544 cases of infection with shiga toxin-producing (Stec) in 2024, a 26% rise on 2023. is a diverse group of bacteria and is normally harmless, living in the intestines of humans and animals. However, some strains, such as Stec, produce toxins that can make people very ill, leading to diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. Stec is often transmitted by eating contaminated food but can also be spread by close contact with an infected person, as well as direct contact with an infected animal or where it lives. Symptoms can last up to two weeks in uncomplicated cases, although some patients, mainly children, may develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which is a serious life-threatening condition resulting in kidney failure. A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Publication of the data follows a Stec outbreak last summer which was linked to contaminated salad leaves. It led to 293 cases, with 126 people needing hospital treatment, 11 developing HUS and two dying. As a result, a number of food manufacturers recalled sandwiches, wraps and salads sold by major retailers. Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director of gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at UKHSA, said: 'While this rise is partly due to one foodborne outbreak, we have been seeing Stec cases gradually increase since 2022 and therefore it's important for people to take steps to prevent infection. 'If you have any Stec symptoms, like mild to bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and dehydration, wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces. 'Don't prepare food for others if you have symptoms, or for 48 hours after symptoms stop.' According to the UKHSA data, the highest incidence of Stec last year was among children aged one to four, with 357 cases of infection. Health chiefs said that could be down to a lower immunity or poorer hygiene among children, as well as exposure to risk factors such as contact with farm animals. Dr Godbole added: 'It is important for parents to make sure that young children wash their hands with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly before eating where possible, especially after playing outdoors and visiting pet farms. 'If you are travelling abroad, it's important to remember routine hygiene practises to reduce your chances of becoming unwell. 'Rarely, Stec can progress to cause kidney failure and life-threatening illness, particularly in young children and elderly. 'Please consult your GP or healthcare professional if you have blood in your stools or severe dehydration and continue to hydrate yourself.' Natasha Smith, director of food policy at the Food Standards Agency, urged people to take steps to avoid infection. 'When preparing food at home, people can reduce their risk of food poisoning by following good hygiene practices and by following advice on the 4Cs of food hygiene: chilling, cleaning, cooking, and avoiding cross-contamination,' she said.
