Health officials in San Mateo County are urging pet owners to seek veterinary advice if their animals show symptoms of bird flu, after the virus was detected in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay this week.
The cat had been taken in by a family, and when it appeared sick, they brought it to the Peninsula Humane Society. Veterinarians examined the cat, and lab results on Tuesday confirmed the presence of H5N1, or avian influenza, according to county health officials.
It remains unclear how the cat contracted the virus, but officials stated that it is not connected to a recent bird flu case in backyard poultry in San Mateo. Due to the cat’s condition, it was euthanized.
Cats can contract H5N1 by consuming infected birds, being exposed to contaminated environments, eating raw food, or drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows. County officials also warned that indoor pets allowed outside may be at risk for infection.
The family that adopted the stray cat has not shown signs of illness, according to the county. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reassured the public that the risk of cats transmitting H5N1 to humans is extremely low, though it is possible for some strains of bird flu to spread from cats to people.
If a pet shows symptoms of illness and has been exposed to sick or dead wild birds or poultry, owners are urged to contact a veterinarian and monitor their own health for signs of fever or infection.
“We all want to ensure our companion animals are healthy and safe from disease,” said Lori Morton-Feazell, chief of Animal Control and Licensing in San Mateo County. “If your pet is unwell, your veterinarian can determine if testing for bird flu or other diseases is necessary.”
County officials emphasized that the feline case is not linked to the recent H5N1 detection in a San Mateo backyard poultry flock, confirmed on Tuesday.
Although there are currently no human cases of H5N1 from the poultry flock, county officials are advising poultry owners to be vigilant for signs of the virus. They recommend precautions such as washing hands before and after handling birds and disinfecting footwear.
“It’s important for residents who keep chickens and other birds to protect both their flocks and themselves from H5N1,” said Koren Widdel, the county’s agricultural commissioner. “Simple actions can help prevent the spread of the disease.”
Avian influenza continues to affect wild birds and has led to outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with several cases recently reported among dairy and poultry workers.
The CDC has reported 67 human cases of bird flu in the U.S., including 38 in California. Nationwide, one death has been attributed to the virus.
Residents whose pets show signs of illness should contact their veterinarian promptly. Symptoms of H5N1 in pets may include loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and neurological signs like circling, tremors, seizures, or blindness. The illness may progress rapidly, leading to eye or nose discharge and respiratory issues such as rapid shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, and sneezing or coughing. In severe cases, pets may die.
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