The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that pet owners are asked not to feed Monarch Raw pet food to their pets after the H5 avian influenza virus was detected in product samples.
Officials said anyone who has fed their pet monarch or other raw meat or dairy products and notices symptoms associated with bird flu should contact their veterinarian immediately. Cats infected with avian influenza can develop severe illness, including neurological and/or respiratory symptoms of liver disease, which can be fatal.
Symptoms of H5 bird flu in cats include:
Loss of appetite Fatigue Respiratory and/or neurological symptoms
The Department of Public Health announced that a cat that ingested the product has tested positive for the virus. It is assumed that four other domestic cats in the same household also tested positive after eating the pet food.
“Residents should avoid consuming all raw milk and meat products and avoid feeding them to pets,” Public Health said in a statement.
A list of farmers market locations where products are sold can be found online.
Earlier this month, public health officials voluntarily recalled all raw milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC due to possible H5 avian influenza contamination.
Additionally, the Department of Public Health recently confirmed that four domestic cats from another household became ill and died after ingesting the recalled raw milk, and an investigation is currently underway.
On Dec. 24, health officials no longer feed raw food to pets following a voluntary recall of Northwest Naturals brand 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw and frozen pet food after H5 avian influenza virus was detected in product samples. warned residents. A list of retailers that sold this product can be found here.
There are no reports of human cases of avian influenza associated with infected cats.
For questions about H5 avian influenza or for information about a clinic or doctor near you, call the Public Health Information Line at 833-540-0473.
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