Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Two Cats in Multnomah County Became Ill & Were Euthanized After Eating Raw Food Positive for HPAI
This information is updated as events warrant.
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a disease that is highly contagious and often deadly in poultry, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (such as H5N1 and H5N9). HPAI viruses can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species, including cats. Although avian influenza viruses do not normally infect humans, human infections have occurred. HPAI has been detected in livestock in multiple states.
Keep Cats Safe by Preventing Possible Influenza Exposure
Cats, including both domestic and wild cats, such as tigers, mountain lions, lynx, etc., are particularly sensitive to H5N1 avian influenza, and care should be taken not to expose these animals to the virus. Dogs can also contract H5N1, although they appear less susceptible to the virus than cats.
Cats have contracted HPAI through foods such as unpasteurized milk or raw or undercooked meats. Cats should not be fed any products that have not been thoroughly cooked or pasteurized. Cats should also be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds.
Tips to help protect your pet from HPAI:
- Do not feed your pet undercooked or raw meat, including uncooked or freeze-dried meat-based diets, treats, or animal products.
- Do not feed your pet raw (unpasteurized) milk or colostrum.
- Keep pets away from wild birds, poultry, and cattle (especially in areas with known H5N1 outbreaks).
- Prevent pets from eating birds or other wild animals.
- Wash your hands after touching raw meat and after interacting with poultry, livestock or animals outside your household.
- Consider changing clothing and shoes after interacting with animals or birds with unknown health status and before interacting with your own pets.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet appears sick. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has been exposed to raw meat, raw milk, or wild waterfowl.

If you suspect your pet has HPAI, please immediately contact your veterinarian. Seek veterinary care if your cat or dog appears to have any of the following symptoms of illness, especially if the pet has eaten raw or unpasteurized foods or has had contact with wild birds or poultry:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Low appetite
- Reddened or inflamed eyes
- Discharge from the eyes and nose
- Respiratory distress
- Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness
Veterinarians must immediately report any suspected cases of influenza in animals to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at (503) 986-4711.
Oregon Cases
- February 2025: ODA announced that tests confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two cats living in different households in Multnomah County. The owners of the cats, in consultation with their veterinarians, elected to humanely euthanize the pets due to the severity of the illness. ODA confirmed both cats ate the same brand of raw pet food before becoming ill.Tests conducted by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of HPAI in both cats and the food samples of Wild Coast LLC – Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula, Lots #22660 and #22664 – Best By Date 12/2025. If you have the affected lots of this food, please stop feeding it immediately.
- January 2025: ODA announced that a cat in Washington County tested positive for HPAI. The outdoor cat with a history of exposure to wild waterfowl (ducks and geese) was examined by a veterinarian after exhibiting symptoms, including a fever, runny nose and eyes, lethargy, difficulty breathing and loss of appetite. The cat was euthanized.
- December 2024: A cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after consuming Morasch Meat’s Northwest Naturals brand 2 lb. Turkey Recipe raw and frozen pet food, which has been recalled.
- November 2024: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a person linked to a outbreak affecting birds at a commercial poultry operation in Clackamas County. The individual experienced only mild illness and has fully recovered.
- October 2024: The National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed HPAI in at least one pig on a small Crook County farm. The pig co-mingled with HPAI-affected chickens and ducks.
- Since May 2022, multiple commercial poultry flocks and backyard flocks have been affected in Oregon.
Biosecurity Actions for Poultry and Livestock Owners
Actions poultry and livestock owners can take to help stop the spread of the virus, include:
- Preventing exposure of domestic poultry and livestock to wildlife, especially wild waterfowl
- Limiting the co-mingling of different species of livestock, especially poultry and pigs
- Wash your hands before and after handling your flock
- Cleaning vehicles, tools, or equipment
- Limiting unnecessary visitors
- Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths
- Changing clothes upon contact with birds
How to Report Illness or Death
Death or illness among domestic birds and livestock should be reported to ODA. Please report by calling 503-986-4711 (Alt phone 1-800-347-7028).
To report the death of wild birds, don't hesitate to contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Please do not collect or handle the birds; instead, call 1-866-968-2600 or email Wildlife.Health@odfw.oregon.gov.
Food Safety
It’s important to note that when properly prepared and cooked, HPAI does not affect meat or egg products, and these food items remain safe. The CDC also recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products to protect your health.
Oregon Tests Milk for H5N1
Oregon is testing milk for H5N1 Avian Influenza. The program aims to protect farms, farmworkers, and communities from H5N1 avian influenza. The OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will test the milk samples and share the results with USDA.
Testing Required for Interstate Movement of Cattle
The USDA announced a federal movement order in response to the ongoing outbreak of HPAI in dairy cattle. The federal order requires pre-movement testing of all lactating dairy cattle, prior to interstate movement.
Emergency Import Requirements
The ODA enacted emergency import requirements for cattle being imported into the State of Oregon from any state with cattle currently affected by HPAI/BIAV. In addition to existing import requirements, these emergency import requirements include:
- No cattle exposed to, infected with, or suspected to be carrying HPAI/BIAV may be imported into Oregon.
- Non-lactating dairy cattle require:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon; and
- A valid Import Permit issued by ODA.
- Lactating dairy cattle require:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon; and
- A valid Import Permit issued by ODA; and
- A negative individual or laboratory-pooled PCR test for influenza A, conducted on milk samples collected no more than 7 days prior to importation into Oregon.
The full rule is available online through the Oregon Secretary of State's website. View Oregon Administrative Rule 603-011-5007.
Signs in Dairy Cattle
To date, Oregon has not detected H5N1 in dairy cattle or milk. At this time, more than 75 percent of Oregon's dairy herds are under weekly surveillance.
On affected farms, on average, 10-20% of cattle are reported as being clinically affected, with no associated mortality. Affected cattle generally recover in 2-3 weeks. The primary symptoms reported in clinically affected dairy cattle include:
- Rapid onset illness, specifically among older, lactating cows
- Decreased herd-level milk production
- Acute, sudden drop in production
- Decrease in feed consumption
- Abnormally dry feces
- Fever
- Thicker, more concentrated, colostrum-like milk
Seroprevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5) Virus Infections Among Bovine Veterinary Practitioners
Public health officials conducted a serosurvey among 150 bovine veterinary practitioners in September 2024. Three practitioners had evidence of recent infection with HPAI A(H5) virus, including two without exposures to animals with known or suspected HPAI A(H5) virus infections and one who did not practice in a U.S. state with known HPAI A(H5) virus–infected cattle. The study concluded that these findings suggest the possible benefit of systematic surveillance for rapid identification of HPAI A(H5) virus in dairy cattle, milk, and humans who are exposed to cattle to ensure appropriate hazard assessments. Read the report.
Sources: ODA, FDA, CDC, AVMA, USDA
Updated: February 14, 2025