Urgent Recall: Cat Food Contaminated with Bird Flu Strain – What Pet Owners Need to Know

A raw cat food brand is recalling its products due to possible contamination with bird flu. Wild Coast LLC, known for its Wild Coast Raw line, is pulling the 16-ounce and 24-ounce versions of the Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula off the shelves.

If you have fed this food to your pets, keep an eye out for bird flu symptoms. These can include fever, lethargy, and a decreased appetite. Also watch for reddened eyes, nose discharge, trouble breathing, and neurological signs like tremors or difficulty coordinating movements. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, reach out to your vet right away.

So far, no humans have reported infections linked to handling this food. However, there is still a potential risk to humans since the virus can spread through contact with eyes, mouth, or nose. Therefore, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the product and sanitize any surfaces or dishes it came into contact with. Additionally, monitor anyone who handled the food for signs of infection.

Symptoms in humans can include:

• Red or irritated eyes
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Breathing difficulties
• Seizures
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you or someone you know shows these symptoms, it’s best to consult a doctor and notify your local health department.

This pet food was sold on the West Coast, particularly in Oregon and Washington. The recall was triggered by testing from the Oregon and Washington Departments of Agriculture, which found the H5N1 bird flu strain in both affected cats and the recalled products.

If you have this food at home, please discard it safely to prevent any animals or wildlife from consuming it.

For more details, check the FDA’s official statement.

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