A cougar is seen in a forest in autumn. The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington says hen flu has killed 20 of its large cats, together with cougars, prior to now month.
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An animal sanctuary in Shelton, Wash., is below quarantine after a hen flu outbreak killed 20 large cats on the facility over the previous month.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Middle of Washington referred to 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 forestall additional unfold,” the middle mentioned in an announcement, including it is going to 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 hen flu poses a critical threat to felines, typically progressing from gentle 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 a number of 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 started deep cleansing, however the nonprofit says the measures have strained its funds. “The mounting medical prices, even at discounted charges, are important,” it mentioned, interesting for donations to cowl bills.
The outbreak comes amid rising issues over hen flu within the U.S.
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as a consequence of its unfold amongst dairy cattle, and outbreaks have been reported in wild and home hen 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 hen 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 hen flu.
Consultants warn that extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is changing into extra prevalent, pushed by migratory hen 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 hen flu within the U.S. — a Louisiana resident who was hospitalized after being uncovered to yard flocks.