San Francisco Cat Confirms Bird Flu Risk in Raw Pet Food as US H5N1 Monitoring Continues in 2025

Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update Monday, September 8, 2025 This is Bird Flu Bulletin: Daily H5N1 Update, your go-to podcast for the latest developments in avian influenza. Today is Monday, September 8, 2025. Top Stories First, federal health officials are investigating a new H5N1 bird flu case in a pet cat in San Francisco. The cat, sadly euthanized after severe illness, had consumed contaminated RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two specific lots of this product tested positive for the H5N1 virus, and investigations are underway to determine the full extent of exposure. While no official recall has been announced, the company has already removed the affected lots from circulation. Nearly 70 domestic cats have tested positive for H5N1 in the U.S. so far this year, with most cases linked to raw pet food or contaminated milk. Second, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a continued decline in animal outbreaks as the warmer months progress. The most recent significant farm detection was at a Pennsylvania commercial game bird facility in early July. In dairy herds, the last confirmed outbreak was June 24 in Arizona. Nationally, the number of infected dairy herds stands at 1,074 since March 2024. California continues to monitor 749 total affected dairies, with nearly half now fully recovered and released from quarantine, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Third, the CDC has further streamlined H5N1 reporting protocols. Human exposure monitoring has shifted to a monthly basis following a decrease in new human and animal cases. Over 18,600 people have been monitored in the U.S. after confirmed animal exposures and more than 880 have been tested. CDC emphasizes there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission in current cases and continues to state the general public risk remains low. Case Numbers In the past 24 hours, there have been no new human H5N1 cases confirmed in the U.S. The national human case count for 2025 holds steady, and global numbers remain unchanged from the previous day. However, livestock and pet cases, like today’s San Francisco cat, highlight that spillover into new animal species remains a risk. New Guidance California Department of Public Health reiterates that anyone handling animals or potentially contaminated materials should wear personal protective equipment including N95 masks, eye protection, and gloves. These precautions remain key for those in close contact with potentially infected livestock or products. Expert Interview Joining us now is Dr. Karen Lewis, a veterinary epidemiologist at the University of California. “Dr. Lewis, what should pet owners know right now?” “While the risk to humans remains very low, we do advise everyone to avoid feeding pets any raw meat or milk products, as these have been repeated sources of infection for cats. If your pet becomes lethargic or shows respiratory symptoms, This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.