Urgent Warning from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

LOS ANGELES — Alert pet owners! The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a grave warning regarding Monarch Raw Pet Food, sold at various farmers markets across California. The warning follows the alarming detection of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in samples of the product. To date, a house cat that consumed the tainted food has tested positive for the virus, and it's feared that four other cats from the same household may also be infected.

Safety Measures for Pet Owners

Desperate to keep your feline friends safe? You can find a complete list of farmers market locations selling this risky pet food on Monarch’s official website. However, the department’s caution does not stop there; they are also advising consumers to steer clear of all raw milk and raw meat products for pets. This advice follows a troubling incident where four cats from a different household became ill and tragically died after consuming recalled raw milk.

Health Risks Associated with HPAI

Cats infected with HPAI can suffer from severe health issues, which may include neurological problems, respiratory distress, or liver disease, often leading to rapid deterioration and death. While there have been no reported human cases of HPAI linked to these cats so far, public health officials are not taking chances.

Collaboration with the California Department of Food and Agriculture

The risk to humans remains low at present; there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is collaborating with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to inform key risk groups—farm workers, employees in dairy, egg, and meat processing facilities, and backyard flock owners—about preventive measures against this potentially dangerous virus.

Confirmed Human Case of H5 HPAI

In a recent turn of events, the department has confirmed the first human case of H5 HPAI in Los Angeles County. This individual was exposed to infected livestock while at work. This serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat that HPAI poses, not only to pets but to humans as well.

Additional Recalls and Recommendations

Just when you thought the situation couldn’t get worse, Morasch Meats has also issued a recall for its Northwest Naturals Feline Turkey raw and frozen pet food formula after detecting the virus, underscoring the pervasive risks associated with raw pet food products today.

Call to Action for Pet Owners

Take action now! Ensure that you’re informed about the food you give your pets, as their health—and potentially yours—depends on it. Stay tuned to local health advisories, and give your furry companions the safest nutrition possible!