Responding to multiple cases of H5N1 avian influenza in domestic and wild cats fed contaminated raw diets containing poultry, the FDA has issued a directive to pet food producers to ensure that their food safety plans address H5N1 influenza contamination issues. Scott Weese, DVM, discusses the directive and how to address pet owners who are inflexible about avoiding raw diets.
Source: Worms and Germs, January 19, 2025. Link.
INSIGHTS: Weese suggests more consumer-facing education about the risks and how to reduce them is needed to help consumers protect themselves.
Related: Horses can be infected with bird flu, Paulick Report, January 13, 2025. Link. A new study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases has shown that horses have been infected with H5N1 in Asia and that infections have been occurring in horses undetected. Horses are known to carry equine flu (H3N8) and researchers are concerned about the potential for bird flu and equine flu viruses combining.
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