H5N1 Risk to Cats
Bird Flu/Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 virus
Since the US outbreak if Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in dairy cattle began in March 2024, many cats are known to have contracted the virus, including barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and in the wild.
Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death.
There is no vaccine for Avian Influenza Virus for cats at this time.
Prevention
- Keep your cats indoors to prevent exposure to wild birds and other wildlife.
- Do not feed your cats raw milk or raw meat-based treats or diets.
- Avoid human contact with wild birds and just observe for a distance
- Do not touch sick or dead birds, their feces, or any other bodily fluid
How do cats become infected?
Recent research implicates food as a source of infection for cats, most often unpasteurized milk and raw or undercooked meat (e.g. poultry). Other potential sources include:
- Raw colostrum and other unpasteurized dairy products (like cream)
- Exposure to infected wild birds or poultry
- Exposure to people who works on affected farms and to their clothing or other fomites(infected inanimate objects)
What are the clinical signs of H5N1 in cats?
Illness may start with loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever, the quickly progress, with cats exhibiting:
- Neurological signs (incoordination when walking, circling, tremors, seizures, or blindness
- Severe depression
- Large amounts of eye and nasal discharge
What should I do if I suspect a cat has H5N1?
The risk of cats spreading the disease to people is considered extremely low, but not zero. If you suspect a cat has H5N1:
- Keep minimum contact with the sick cat, isolate the cat if possible.
- Contact your veterinarian
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)