Federal regulators are urging manufacturers of raw dog and cat food to improve their detection of bird flu in pet products. This comes after instances where cats, both wild and domestic, in the U.S. contracted the H5N1 strain of avian influenza from contaminated raw food and sadly died.
Raw foods such as unpasteurized milk, uncooked meat, and unpasteurized eggs can pose serious health risks. The demand for raw pet food has surged, even in the face of warnings and recalls.
To tackle this issue, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that pet food manufacturers need to reassess their food safety plans to account for the risks associated with bird flu. This is a crucial step, as the aim is to ensure that these manufacturers are aware of the potential hazards related to their uncooked or unpasteurized products.
While humans are at a low risk for contracting bird flu, those who come into contact with sick animals may be at a greater risk. Most human infections have been mild, and there has been little evidence of human-to-human spread.
However, there is a concern that pets infected with bird flu could potentially transmit the virus to humans. Research indicates that cats, in particular, can carry both bird flu and human influenza viruses. This raises the possibility that the virus could mutate, making it more infectious to people.
Tragically, some cats have succumbed to severe illness due to bird flu after consuming raw food. Reports show that 20 wild cats died in Washington after being fed contaminated raw food, and domestic cats in states like California, Colorado, and Oregon have also died after being given raw meat or milk products that were later recalled.
While no cases of H5N1 have been reported in dogs in the U.S. thus far, it is still a concern. The FDA regulation requires animal food companies to create food safety plans that evaluate potential hazards in their products. Companies must update these plans as new threats emerge, such as the risk posed by bird flu.
The FDA encourages pet food manufacturers to adopt practices that can significantly reduce or prevent the transmission of bird flu, with pasteurization being a key method. It’s also important for these companies to source meat, milk, or eggs from healthy livestock.
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