Federal health officials are alerting consumers to potential H5N1 bird flu contamination in specific lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats after a cat in San Francisco became infected and was euthanized. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of the virus in two affected lots, CCS 25 077 and CCS 250 093, with sell-by dates in September and October 2026, respectively. Genetic sequencing confirmed the virus strain in both the food and the cat was also found in U.S. dairy cattle. While the company has removed the implicated lots from circulation, consumers are advised to be aware of the potential risk, as H5N1 can cause illness and death in various animals, including cats.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its emergency response to H5N1 bird flu, citing a decrease in cases and the absence of human cases since February 2025. While the emergency response has been deactivated, surveillance, readiness, and response for influenza, including H5N1, will continue under existing programs. The emergency response, which began on April 4, 2024, allowed for additional public health support. Experts note the seasonality of bird flu, with potential for cases to rise again in the fall or winter, but the current public health risk remains low.
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The Department of Health and Human Services terminated a $766 million contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, citing concerns about the mRNA technology’s safety and lack of transparency. This decision, despite Moderna’s reporting of positive interim results from a Phase 1/2 study, shifts federal funding priorities toward vaccine platforms with established safety profiles. Critics argue this cancellation jeopardizes pandemic preparedness, particularly given the evolving threat of H5N1 avian flu and the limited availability of alternative vaccine production methods. The move has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts who warn of increased risks to the American public.
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Effective April 1st, Canada now permits in-shell egg imports from Ukraine, a decision driven by limited U.S. egg supply due to H5N1. These Ukrainian eggs are initially destined for processing, but consumer availability remains a possibility depending on market fluctuations. This marks a significant shift, as U.S. imports previously held a monopoly under a limited tariff-free quota. The Egg Farmers of Canada offered no public statement on the new import policy.
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To prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), the Philippines has expanded its ban on poultry imports to include Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania, in addition to previously restricted states. The ban encompasses all domestic and wild birds and their products. This action follows multiple H5N1 outbreaks in these US states during January and February. The Department of Agriculture cites the rapid spread of the virus as justification for the broader trade restrictions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker