Oregon state veterinarian says bird flu spreading through different species is rare

Oregon state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz recently discussed the rare transmission of bird flu between species following the death of a house cat in Washington County, which contracted the virus through raw turkey cat food. Since the virus was first detected in U. S. dairy cattle in March, multiple cases of infection in cats have been reported, primarily linked to exposure from poultry or wild birds.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed that the affected cat had consumed a frozen turkey meal from Northwest Naturals, leading Scholz to advise cat owners to dispose of products with 'Best by' dates of May 21 and June 23, 2026. Symptoms in infected cats are primarily neurological, including lethargy, depression, and blindness, with some cases showing rapid health decline. Scholz reassured the public that bird flu spreading through different species is uncommon, although a human case was recorded in Oregon in November. He emphasized the importance of precautions when handling dead birds and encouraged pet owners to contact their veterinarians if their pets exhibit any signs of illness. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has established a hotline for reporting dead birds to monitor potential outbreaks, and health officials are investigating the source of the outbreak to prevent further incidents.