12-26-2024, 09:48 AM
There is a bird flu outbreak in parts of the USA. In particular the north west has been hit hard.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington State has been battling a mystery illness in its big cats.
It has been confirmed as H5N1 Bird Flu. The sanctuary is under quarantine while they disinfect and dispose of thousands of pounds of possibly infected meat.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...e-bird-flu
Sadly big twenty cats have died. They have lost a Bengal Tiger, Cougars, Lynx and Bob Cats.
Over half their cats are gone. They only have 17 left. Usually the big cats live out their lives and die of old age.
They have never had anything like this.
The bird flu is spreading in poultry farms and dairy herds as well as wild birds. Some of the spread has come from drinking raw milk.
Meat from infected birds is a source of infection as well.
This is a tragedy for the sanctuary. I am sure they will go on and care for the rest of their cats, but they must be feeling a terrible sense of loss.
I hope things improve for them in the new year.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington State has been battling a mystery illness in its big cats.
It has been confirmed as H5N1 Bird Flu. The sanctuary is under quarantine while they disinfect and dispose of thousands of pounds of possibly infected meat.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...e-bird-flu
Sadly big twenty cats have died. They have lost a Bengal Tiger, Cougars, Lynx and Bob Cats.
Over half their cats are gone. They only have 17 left. Usually the big cats live out their lives and die of old age.
They have never had anything like this.
The bird flu is spreading in poultry farms and dairy herds as well as wild birds. Some of the spread has come from drinking raw milk.
Meat from infected birds is a source of infection as well.
This is a tragedy for the sanctuary. I am sure they will go on and care for the rest of their cats, but they must be feeling a terrible sense of loss.
I hope things improve for them in the new year.
Catherine