Experts are advising cat owners to avoid feeding their pets raw meat or unpasteurized milk after two indoor cats in Michigan were found to be infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus.
The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory reported that cats are highly susceptible to the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) strain, prompting calls for increased awareness and vigilance to prevent infection and understand virus transmission between animal species.
Both infected cats lived with dairy workers who had no direct exposure to the virus, according to a CDC report. Additionally, the cats had consumed raw meat or unpasteurized milk.
Courtney White, vice president of veterinary medicine at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, emphasized that while the risk to humans and widespread exposure to domestic cats is low, shelter caregivers and owners should be aware of risk factors. “Are they going outside? Do you have a backyard flock? Do you live near a poultry or dairy farm? Were there dead wild birds in your area?” White said in a Michigan Pet Alliance press release.
To minimize exposure, owners of outdoor cats may consider removing bird feeders and baths from their yards.
Signs of H5N1 infection in cats may include decreased energy and appetite, progressing to neurological symptoms such as lack of coordination, inability to stand, tremors, and seizures. Respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge may also appear.
If owners suspect their cat has been infected, they should isolate the animal from others and contact a veterinarian immediately. “Cats show symptoms quickly, often within one to two days after exposure,” White noted.
H5N1, which was first identified in China in 1996 and detected in the U.S. in 2022, has already affected 160 million poultry across the country. In Michigan, the virus has also been found in red foxes, raccoons, possums, coyotes, dairy cattle, and even two humans.
“Any mammal can potentially contract bird flu due to how the influenza virus mutates,” White explained.
The virus spreads through contact with infected animals’ saliva, feces, or urine, as well as raw meat or unpasteurized milk. Wild birds remain the primary carriers of the virus, which can spread between flocks, through infected animals, equipment, and even via the clothing and shoes of caretakers.
For further details on preventing bird flu and reporting suspected cases, visit the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s avian influenza webpage.
In the U.S., billions have been spent in efforts to control the bird flu, as farmers work to prevent the virus from spreading within poultry flocks, contributing to the rising cost of eggs.
Related Topics
