A nationwide recall of cat food has been issued after a bird flu outbreak

The death of an Oregon house cat, which became ill after eating raw pet food contaminated with bird flu, recently prompted a nationwide recall.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) said Thursday that samples of Northwest Naturals 2lb turkey recipe raw and frozen foods have tested positive for the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) strain.

Tests by US Department of Agriculture labs in Oregon confirmed that a domestic cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after eating frozen pet food, according to an ODA statement.

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Testing confirmed genetic similarities between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat, according to the ODA.

“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said Ryan Scholz, ODA district veterinarian. “This cat was an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and the genetic sequencing results confirmed that the virus found in the raw pet food and the infected cat were identical.”

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local public health officials are monitoring family members who have been in contact with the cat for flu symptoms, according to officials.

A veterinarian examines a kitten with a stethoscope in a clinic. (iStock / Stock)

Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Oregon company, has issued a voluntary recall of the food, packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with “best by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. .

The product is sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada, according to ODA. Customers who have purchased a recalled product should dispose of the product immediately and contact the place of purchase for a full refund.

Although Oregon has reported one confirmed human case of HPAI, there have been no human cases related to the incident, officials said.

poultry laboratory testing (iStock / Stock)

Neighboring states such as Idaho, Nevada, and California have reported cases of HPAI in dairy herds, contributing to more than 700 confirmed cases in 16 states across the country, according to the ODA.

As a precautionary measure, the department announced earlier this month that it will test milk at all milk shops in the state.

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Milk is being tested for bird flu as cases have been confirmed across the country. (FOX / Fox News)

To avoid the spread of disease, experts strongly encourage people and their pets to:

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat
• Avoid consuming raw milk
• Limit contact with sick or dead animals
• Wash hands after handling raw animal products or touching sick or dead animals
• Report sick or dead birds to ODA at 503-986-4711
• Keep pets or chickens away from wild waterfowl

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Northwest Naturals did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.