A cougar is seen in a forest in autumn. The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington says chook flu has killed 20 of its huge cats, together with cougars, prior to now month.
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An animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash., is below quarantine after a chook flu outbreak killed 20 huge cats on the facility over the previous month.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington known as the deaths “heartbreaking,” confirming the virus has claimed greater than half its animals, together with 4 cougars and a half-Bengal tiger, since late November.
“Our sanctuary is below quarantine to guard our remaining animals and stop additional unfold,” the middle mentioned in a press release, including it can stay closed to the general public till additional discover.
The sanctuary mentioned the outbreak might have been brought on by respiratory secretions handed from contaminated birds to the cats or by contaminated meat fed to the cats. It mentioned chook flu poses a critical threat to felines, usually progressing from gentle signs to deadly pneumonia inside 24 hours.
The primary cat, a cougar, died on Nov. 23 after displaying indicators of the sickness. The virus then shortly sickened many different animals throughout the sanctuary. Whereas among the cats shared a wall between their habitats, they didn’t have direct contact.
The sanctuary’s 17 surviving animals — cougars, bobcats, servals, and tigers — stay below shut commentary.
In response, the sanctuary eliminated 8,000 kilos of meals from storage and commenced deep cleansing, however the nonprofit says the measures have strained its funds. “The mounting medical prices, even at discounted charges, are vital,” it mentioned, interesting for donations to cowl bills.
The outbreak comes amid rising considerations over chook flu within the U.S.
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on account of its unfold amongst dairy cattle, and outbreaks have been reported in wild and home chook populations throughout a number of states.
A model of cat meals additionally mentioned it was recalling a line of its merchandise after authorities linked the demise of a cat to a batch of feed contaminated with chook flu.
The model, Northwest Naturals, mentioned it was advising individuals to throw out two-pound luggage of its Feline Turkey Recipe which have a best-by date between Might 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, after the luggage examined optimistic for virulent chook flu.
Consultants warn that extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is turning into extra prevalent, pushed by migratory chook patterns.
Whereas the virus primarily impacts birds, it has proven the capability to contaminate mammals, together with home pets and wildlife, below sure circumstances.
Earlier this month, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention confirmed the primary extreme human case of chook flu within the U.S. — a Louisiana resident who was hospitalized after being uncovered to yard flocks.
