A strain of bird flu that has been spreading among U.S. dairy cows in several states since at least March has also infected some cats on farms (1, 2). Although the risk of spread to humans is low, the CDC reported that a US dairy worker also recently contracted the virus, which is called H5N1 (3).
Outside the United States, bird flu infections in cats have been reported in Poland, South Korea, and France (1). If you have a pet, you may be wondering, is my cat or dog at risk of getting bird flu during the current outbreak? Am I at risk too? Here’s what you need to know.
Is your pet at risk for bird flu?
Until now, the cats that have been infected with bird flu in the United States have lived on affected dairy farms. In a recently published study, researchers described how about a dozen barn cats on a Texas dairy farm became ill and died (4). Tissue samples from two of the deceased cats tested positive for the virus. The cats were fed raw milk from the sick cows, but the virus could also have spread through exposure to or consumption of infected wild birds, the researchers stated.
Outside the country, international cases have included cats that ingested contaminated cat food in shelters and cats that were believed to have eaten raw meat (2).
While these conditions may not exist for everyday pet parents, it is important to know that yes, this virus can spread to household pets such as dogs and cats. If your pet eats or is exposed to an infected bird or an environment contaminated with the virus, they could become ill with bird flu. While the odds of you catching bird flu from your pet are low, it is not impossible (5).
Symptoms of bird flu in cats and dogs to watch out for
Cats infected with bird flu have been reported to exhibit a variety of symptoms, including respiratory and neurological signs. According to the AVMA, signs of bird flu in infected cats and dogs may include (6):
- Fever
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Lack of appetite (anorexia)
- Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes)
- Shortness of breath
- Neurological signs, such as seizures or incoordination
- death
In addition to the above signs, most types of flu can also cause fever, cough and runny nose.
As always, if your pet shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to protect your pets from bird flu
The best way to keep your pets safe and healthy is to keep them away from wild birds or birds. Other ways to protect your dog or cat from bird flu include:
- Keep curious pets that like to chase birds or sniff dead animals on a leash whenever possible.
- If you have a lot of wild birds in your area, keep cats mostly indoors and supervised when outside.
- Avoid taking your pets around livestock
- Do not feed raw or undercooked poultry to your pets (7)
- Consider removing bird feeders and birdbaths that attract wild birds (and their droppings) into your yard (7)
Pet parents should also avoid contact with wild birds, as the virus – again, although rarely – can be transmitted from bird to human.
If you find a bird that appears to be sick, injured or dead, call your local state wildlife agency to report it (8). Do not try to take it yourself. People should also cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which can kill many bacteria and viruses, such as bird flu.
Stay informed
It is also a good idea to keep up with the official health of the outbreak. Public health risk for avian influenza H5N1 is currently listed as “low,” According to the Centers for Disease Control. However, this risk varies by state. Some states, including Texas, have reported more of the virus in livestock and/or birds. The CDC is working with states to monitor people with animal exposures.
References
- “Considerations for Veterinarians: Evaluation and Management of Cats Potentially Exposed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last revised on April 10, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/veterinarians-handling-cats.htm
- “4 More cats test positive for H5N1 bird flu in US” BNO News. 26 April 2024. Retrieved from https://bnonews.com/index.php/2024/04/4-more-cats-test-positive-for-h5n1-bird-flu-in-the-us/
- “H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated May 2, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm
- Ly, Hinh. “Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infections of dairy cattle and livestock handlers in the United States of America.” Virulence vol. 15.1 (2024): 2343931. doi:10.1080/21505594.2024.2343931
- “Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last revised on April 8, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-other-animals.htm
- “Bird flu.” American Veterinary Medical Association. Taken from: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza
- “Animal Health Alert: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Detected in Wild Birds in Los Angeles County: Guidance and Reporting Forms.” Los Angeles County Public Health. Jan., 24, 2024. Retrieved from: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/HPAI.htm
- “Prevention and antiviral treatment of avian influenza virus in humans.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last revised April 10, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/prevention.htm