A cougar is seen in a forest in autumn. The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington says chicken flu has killed 20 of its large cats, together with cougars, previously month.
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An animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash., is below quarantine after a chicken flu outbreak killed 20 large cats on the facility over the previous month.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington called 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 forestall additional unfold,” the middle mentioned in an announcement, including it should stay closed to the general public till additional discover.
The sanctuary mentioned the outbreak could have been attributable to respiratory secretions handed from contaminated birds to the cats or by contaminated meat fed to the cats. It mentioned chicken flu poses a severe threat to felines, usually progressing from delicate signs to deadly pneumonia inside 24 hours.
The primary cat, a cougar, died on Nov. 23 after exhibiting 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 statement.
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 issues over chicken flu within the U.S.
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency attributable to its unfold amongst dairy cattle, and outbreaks have been reported in wild and home chicken 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 loss of life of a cat to a batch of feed contaminated with chicken flu.
The model, Northwest Naturals, mentioned it was advising folks to throw out two-pound luggage of its Feline Turkey Recipe which have a best-by date between Could 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, after the luggage examined optimistic for virulent chicken flu.
Consultants warn that extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is changing into extra prevalent, pushed by migratory chicken patterns.
Whereas the virus primarily impacts birds, it has proven the capability to contaminate mammals, together with home pets and wildlife, below sure situations.
Earlier this month, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention confirmed the primary extreme human case of chicken flu within the U.S. — a Louisiana resident who was hospitalized after being uncovered to yard flocks.
