Bird flu has been on the rise in Washington state and one sanctuary was hit hard: 20 big cats – more than half of the facility’s population – died over the course of weeks.

Scientists and volunteers with the Olympic Cougar Project said they have the opportunity now to study bird flu in wild animals – to hopefully prevent it from spreading to people.

The bird flu virus that killed 20 big cats in Washington and a pet cat in Oregon and is circulating among cows, poultry and wild birds isn't yet a threat to the general public, experts say. Why it matters: The first human death from bird flu isn't indicative of an imminent crisis,

In a story published Jan. 12, 2025, about bird flu, The Associated Press erroneously described the experts who confirmed infected cats had developed neurological disease. They wrote in the journal

Cat owners in Los Angeles County are on alert following the discovery of bird flu cases linked to a brand of pet food. This situation raises concerns about the safety of raw products for