Dozens of domestic cats, including at least 24 this year, have been infected with H5N1, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Many of the animals became infected after consuming raw milk

Raw pet food made by Wild Coast Raw has been linked to the cats’ sickness. Consumers have been urged to stop feeding their pets a boneless chicken formula from Wild Coast Raw after it was linked to several cat deaths. (agr.wa.gov)

This means four cats in Oregon have now been infected by avian influenza in the past two months, including two others in Washington County. The disease is more common among chickens and other poultry, but can spread to other animals through direct contact with infected birds or by consuming raw meat or milk.

Two more Oregon cats died this month after eating raw cat food that was contaminated with the deadly bird flu virus, prompting Washington state officials to issue a recall.

Echoing results from earlier California investigations into H5N1 infections in domestic cats, an investigation by agriculture departments in Oregon and Washington has renewed warnings about feeding pets raw food after their investigation into two cat illnesses in Oregon found that the pets were exposed to the same raw pet food brand.

Raw pet food for cats has been identified as a source of bird flu infection in Oregon house cats. The cats became ill starting in early February after consuming raw pet food manufactured by Wild Coast LLC, according to warnings from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

Two cats living in separate households in Multnomah County, Oregon, fell ill after consuming the raw pet food. After consultation with their veterinarians, owners of the animals agreed to euthanize the pets because of the severity of their illnesses, officials said.