Health Officials Warn Los Angeles County Pet Owners After Cat Dies of H5N1 Bird Flu, Advising Against Raw Food

Dec 28, 2024, 11:32 PM

Health officials are warning pet owners about the risks associated with the H5N1 bird flu virus, particularly after the death of a house cat in Oregon. The Los Angeles County health department has advised against feeding cats raw food to mitigate the risk of infection. Though cases of bird flu in pets are rare, cats appear to be particularly susceptible to the virus. Experts have noted that certain strains of avian influenza, such as H5N1, have a high case fatality rate in humans, raising concerns about potential transmission. As the situation develops, pet owners are urged to take precautions, including keeping their cats apart and avoiding raw food diets.