Los Angeles County public health officials have issued a critical warning to pet owners regarding H5N1 bird flu concerns linked to raw pet food. Following a recall of Monarch Raw Pet Food, officials are urging residents to cease feeding their pets raw meat products after multiple cases of illness in cats were reported. One cat has tested positive for the virus, while four additional cats from the same household are presumed infected after consuming the contaminated food (source: Los Angeles Times).

The contamination was confirmed when health officials detected H5N1 in product samples from the Monarch brand, which distributes its products at various farmers markets in California. Symptoms in the affected cats have included lethargy, respiratory issues like coughing and sneezing, and neurological symptoms. Tragically, two of the infected cats have died, with three others being treated and quarantined (source: ABC News).

Public health authorities have emphasized the necessity for pet owners to observe their animals for any unusual behavior, such as loss of motor control or excessive drooling. Pet owners who observe these symptoms are advised to contact their veterinarians immediately. Furthermore, consumers are warned to avoid raw milk and dairy products, which could also pose health risks (source: CBS News).

This warning follows the death of a cat in Oregon linked to a different brand of frozen raw pet food that also tested positive for bird flu. Health officials confirm that there have been no recorded human cases associated with these recent infections, though they continue to monitor the situation closely (source: Los Angeles Times).

In light of these findings, public health officials strongly discourage feeding pets raw food due to the potential risks of severe illness associated with the virus, including respiratory issues and rapid deterioration of health, especially among cats, who appear more susceptible to the virus. Veterinary experts stress that cooking meat and pasteurizing dairy products effectively eliminates such pathogens (source: ABC News). This ongoing outbreak raises public health concerns, reinforcing the need for careful monitoring of animal health and food safety.