TOPIC: Wild Coast Raw Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula Raw Pet Food: Recall - Because of Bird Flu Health Risk
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Care Professional, Veterinary Medicine
ISSUE: Wild Coast LLC dba Wild Coast Raw of Olympia is recalling lots of frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats because it has the potential to be contaminated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 also known as bird flu. H5N1 can be transmitted to animals eating contaminated product. Test results link one of the recalled lots of food (lot #22660) to cat illnesses and deaths in Washington State and Oregon.
The product, 16oz and 24oz frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats was distributed to pet food retailers in Washington State and Oregon. The product is frozen in a small round white plastic container with a green label. The affected lots are identified by a sticker on the lid with a number of #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664 with a Best By date of 12/25. The recall includes lots with raw materials that share the same production dates as lots #22660 and #22664. These two lot codes were included in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) public health alert on 2/14.
The recall was initiated after sampling conducted by the Oregon Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of the same strain of H5N1 in the ill cats and these products as well as sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Wild Coast Raw and the Washington State Department of Agriculture continue to work collaboratively to address the source of the problem.
While no human infections have been identified among people handling raw pet food products, people can become infected if the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
For more information about this recall, click on the red button "Read Recall" below.
BACKGROUND: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 also known as bird flu can be transmitted to animals eating contaminated recalled product.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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Consumers who fed pets the recalled products should watch for symptoms of bird flu in their pets, including fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizure, lack of coordination, or blindness.
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Consumers with pets exhibiting these signs after feeding this product should contact their veterinarian.
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Consumers should wash their hands after handling the raw product and sanitize contact surfaces such as countertops, refrigerators, bowls, or utensils.
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Consumers who handled contaminated products should watch for symptoms of bird flu, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider and local health department.
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Do not sell or donate the recalled products.
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Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals.
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Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to immediately and securely discard to prevent animals and wildlife from consuming the recalled product. Contact your place of purchase for a full refund. For more information contact Wild Coast Raw at info@wildcoastraw.com or (360) 591-3543.
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