Another Oregon cat dies of bird flu

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oregon — A second cat has died of the bird flu in Oregon in the last two months. 

State agriculture officials said both cats lived in Washington County. Officials said the most recent case involved an outdoor cat that had a history of exposure to ducks and geese. It had symptoms, including fever, runny nose and eyes and loss of appetite. The Oregon Capitol Chronicle reported that the cat was so ill it had to be euthanized.

In December, state officials said an indoor cat in Washington County died after eating raw pet food that tested positive for bird flu. The pet food manufacturer, Northwest Naturals, recalled the frozen raw turkey product. At the time, state veterinarian Ryan Scholz said it wasn't the cause of contraction they were expecting but an important reminder of the bird flu's reach.

“Most of the exposures we would normally assume to be the source weren't really an option,” explained Scholz. “So, we dove down a little deeper, found out that they were feeding a raw pet food.”

Both cases are troubling at a time when the H5N1 virus is picking up momentum, killing millions of birds nationwide. Many of them are chickens from backyard coops to commercial farms, driving up the price of eggs.

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To help stop bird flu from spreading, experts encourage people and pets to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and dairy products. They also suggest keeping your pets away from waterfowl and dead animals. While cats are most at risk for contracting bird flu, state officials said dogs can also get the virus but appear to be less susceptible to it.