The New York City Health Department warns pet owners against feeding their animals raw pet food or raw milk following the detection of avian influenza (bird flu) in two cats, with a third case suspected. The infections have been traced back to a specific batch of raw poultry pet food from Savage Cat Food, lot number 11152026. Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse emphasized that while the risk to the public remains low, pet owners should take immediate precautions.
The first confirmed case involved a cat, referred to as “Cat A,” which fell ill earlier this month after consuming the implicated Savage Cat Food product. The cat exhibited symptoms including fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory distress. Testing conducted at the Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory identified the H5 bird flu strain, with confirmatory testing for H5N1 still pending from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). Tragically, the cat succumbed to the infection.
A second cat, “Cat B,” was diagnosed with H5N1 last month, with testing confirmed by NVSL. This cat developed fever, severe respiratory issues, and liver disease after exposure to another infected cat, “Cat C,” which had consumed the same Savage Cat Food lot. Cat B also died, while Cat C, which developed a fever but survived, was not tested for H5 due to the time elapsed since its illness.
Health officials have linked both confirmed cases to Savage Cat Food’s poultry packets, prompting collaboration with the FDA and the company. The NYC Health Department is urging pet owners with Savage Cat Food products to check for the affected lot number and dispose of it immediately. “We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing illness after consuming Savage Cat Food or other raw meat or dairy products to contact their veterinarian,” Dr. Morse said.
While human cases of bird flu remain unreported in New York City, the Health Department is monitoring individuals who had contact with the infected cats, offering testing and treatment as needed. The agency stressed that the virus poses a broader public health risk only if it evolves to spread between humans—a development not yet observed.
The outbreak follows similar reports of H5N1 infections in cats across states like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, where contaminated raw pet food or milk was also implicated. The FDA and other agencies are intensifying investigations into these incidents.
To protect pets and prevent further spread, the Health Department advises pet owners to avoid feeding pets raw food or raw milk, contact a veterinarian immediately if a pet shows signs of illness after consuming raw products, isolate sick animals from other pets, and keep cats indoors while preventing dogs from interacting with dead or sick animals during walks.
This investigation was a coordinated effort involving the NYC Health Department, the NYS Department of Agriculture, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, and federal partners. As the situation develops, officials continue to urge vigilance among pet owners to safeguard animal and public health.
Susan Shrestha
View More PostsSusan Shrestha is a Europe-based journalist. He covers a wide range of topics, from local matters to global affairs. Shrestha previously worked as a reporter for Khasokhas in Nepal.
