A California-based pet food company has recalled its raw chicken products following their connection to bird flu infections in two cats and a suspected case in a third,all in New York City.This marks the latest in a series of recalls in recent months for products potentially contaminated with the virus,which has infected and killed cats in multiple states.The virus has spread rapidly through U.S.poultry and dairy cattle and has caused illness in at least 70 people.

Savage Pet,located in El Cajon,California,recalled one lot of its large and small raw chicken boxes this week due to potential contamination with Type A H5N1 influenza virus.The products are packaged in cardboard boxes containing individual plastic-wrapped portions.The affected lot carries the code and best-by date 11152026,stamped directly on the packages.This pet food was distributed in California,Colorado,New York,Pennsylvania,and Washington state.

New York City health officials have advised consumers to avoid Savage Pet products in light of the feline illnesses.One cat became sick and died this month after consuming the recalled food.While final test results are pending,a preliminary test for H5N1 came back as"nonnegative,"indicating the detection of a certain level of the virus,according to a department spokesperson.

A second cat was diagnosed with H5N1 and died.Testing suggested the cat was infected with a strain related to the one found in the recalled Savage Pet food,though this animal had not consumed the product itself.It is believed to have been exposed to a third cat that fell ill after eating food from the implicated lot.The third cat survived but was not tested.

These New York cases are the latest reports of cats across several states being sickened and killed by H5N1.Since 2022,at least 115 confirmed bird flu infections in domestic cats have been reported to the U.S.Department of Agriculture,with the majority recorded since 2024.Cats can contract the virus from wildlife or from contaminated milk and food.

Earlier this month,Wild Coast Raw of Olympia,Washington,recalled its frozen boneless raw chicken cat food after it was linked to illnesses and cat deaths in Oregon and Washington.In December,Morasch Meats of Portland,Oregon,recalled its Northwest Naturals brand raw and frozen turkey pet food after testing positive for the virus;the product was linked to the death of a local cat.

Dr.Jarra Jagne,a veterinary expert at Cornell University,advises pet owners to avoid feeding their animals unpasteurized milk or raw pet food due to the risks of bird flu and other pathogens like salmonella,listeria,and E.coli."I wouldn't give my animals raw anything,"she stated."It's all about cooking."

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.The AP is solely responsible for all content.