Animal Welfare Professionals

Who is in charge of tracking H5N1 now? Can we rely on reporting of cat cases or those in other pets continuing? 

National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL) report H5N1 cases on this website. While the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has been halted as on 1/8/25, i haven't seen reports that state veterinarians or the NVSL have been affected. 

Does IDEXX have a diagnostic test for H5N1 in cats?  I believe they have one for poultry. 

  Because this is a reportable disease, if you suspect a cat may have H5N1, contact your state animal health official. Most state labs test for influenza A.  

 IDEXX offers influenza A testing and subtyping in the U.S. and Canada. 

How are commerical hens flocks getting infected if everyone is changing into wearing protective clothing and filters on all incoming air? 

 This is likely happening due to  poultry who are subclinical carriers of the virus or inadequate biosecurity protocols. 

What about shelters with catios? Should we stop using them? 

 Best practice is to ensure that catios are protected from bird access and bird droppings in the enclosure.  

Small rescues usually take in cats from their communities, however, there are larger rescues that get grants to take in cats from some of these high risk areas…can't they be exposing our community cats to the flu due to their grant status??

Currently, the risk of bird flu in cats is extremely low; however, yes there is an extremely small possibility (as of 2/12/25) that a cat being transported could have H5N1. The risk other diseases like panleukopenia and ringworm is much higher. Organizations who are transporting in cats must consider the risk of infectious diseases and use protocols (quarantine, vaccination, sanitation) to reduce the risk of spread, if disease occurs.  At this time, we don't recommend altering transport protocols other than heightening awareness of signs that could be consistent with H5N1. 

I was told that in NC, all cats that are submitted for Rabies testing are also submitted for H5N1 testing? We only submit the head for testing... Should we start submitting the whole body? 

 Please contact your state animal health official for recommendations on sample submission. Early findings suggest that liver and brain are possibly the most sensitive tissues for detection post-mortem. 

If a cat is in shelter they just have been housed with the cat that may have it why do we have to quarantine the other cats if saying it's not passed to cat to cat. Also is it passing to human to cat why would It not pass to cats. 

  There's evidence of cat to cat spread of avian influenza in Asia over a decade ago. Cat to cat spread has also occurred experimentally.  Thus far we don't have evidence of cat to cat transmission in the United States. This doesn't mean it can't happen; however, we don't have evidence that it has happened in the US.  Quarantining a cat who has been exposed to a cat with avian influenza is a safety measure because of the potential for cat to cat transmission.  Quarantine of exposed cats should follow public health guidelines – usually at least 7 days, but follow your state animal health official's recommendation. 

 Is it appropriate to strongly discourage feeding raw food and unpasteurized milk? 

Yes, people and animals should not ingest raw milk or raw or freeze-dried chicken.  Poultry must be cooked to recommended temperatures, to kill the virus.

How are birds acquiring the virus? Consumption of raw food sources  or is it transmitted bird to bird? 

The virus is spread via direct bird to bird contact or exposure to droppings or shared food/water sources. 

 How likely are back yard poultry to be exposed to the bird flu?  

Backyard poultry are at risk if they might be exposed to infected birds, bird droppings or if wild birds eat or drink from the same food/water sources as backyard poultry. 

What are the specifics of attributing indoor cat deaths to eating raw poultry? What kind of raw poultry commercial foods were involved-refrigerated or frozen meat or freeze-dried poultry meat? Is there tracing of the poultry source to confirm that birds were infected and culled or are these cases that show that otherwise healthy birds raised for commercial raw cat food are unknown carriers of bird flu at a level that can sicken and kill cats? 

 Because birds can be asymptomatic carriers or sometimes illness is undetected, there is the potential for H5N1 in raw, frozen or freeze-dried poultry. The US Food & Drug Administration is recommending that pet food manufacturers consider H5N1 in their food safety plans.  

Is there any correleation with age of the cat?  Neurologic kittens? 

Cats of any age can become infected with H5N1. A kitten who comes to our shelter with cerebellar signs is much more likely to have cerebellar hypoplasia than avian influenza; however, if we don't have historical information about the kitten, the safest thing to do is to contact your state animal health official. When we do have historical information, we can ask the questions listed in this document which will raise or lower our suspicion with an individual cat.  

I assume it's a good idea in general for colony caretakers/rescue folks/vets etc., to be current on REGULAR FLU vaccines -- to lower chance of if they get infected with both regular flu and H5N1, lower chance of reassortment 

While standard flu vaccines won't protect us against H5N1, the Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over six months of age should get a flu vaccine. Here's an article from Worms and Germs about this topic.  

We're working with a cat in a country with limited diagnostics and limited pet food sources. After 5 months of no success addressing her skin problems, the vets now think it relates to food allergies.  There is wild boar and venison raw rood available for her as "allergy food". How dangerous would these be to try?   Avian flu has been seen in birds in this and surrounding countries for at least a decade. 

There has been limited evidence of H5N1 in cattle muscles. Deer and pigs can also potentially carry H5N1.  So while the risk is extremely low, it is not zero. The safest thing to do would be to cook the raw food.  

We had a cat with suspected H5N1 that passed away here in California and, at the suggestion of our vet, we reached out to multiple state and county departments, as well as UC Davis, about advice or next steps. For example, who might want to test the cat or track this cat/info and every single place said they didn't know why I was calling and that there wasn't anywhere, any department, any agency, or any research facility in CA to reach out to about this. Is there a list of places I maybe should have tried? What are our testing or reporting obligations? 

You are required to report H5N1, actual or suspect cases.  Contact your state animal health official if you have a cat you suspect may have H5N1. If you're unable to reach your state animal health official, you could try contacting one of the shelter medicine programs in this document.  

Our suburb (pop. 66,000) is considering allowing residents to maintain chicken coops in their backyards.  Would it be better to wait until things are clearer about bird flu?  Or are their bird flu restrictions that should be written into the ordinance? 

  There is certainly a risk that backyard poultry could become infected with H5N1. Here are some recommendations to mitigate risk. 

If a cat comes in showing neuro signs and we have to test for rabies, but tests negative, would the lab then test for H5N1? 

Please contact your lab to get the answer to this question.  

For cats that survive, would they be asymptomatic carriers?  Do they mount effective antibodies again the virus? but can they still shed the virus  

Studies have demonstrated (see this review) that some cats have antibodies to H5N1. Cats can also potentially be asymptomatic carriers or have only mild signs.  Cats that survive and fully recover are at extremely low risk of transmitting the virus.

Are there any cases of community cats getting sick from black vultures 

Not that I've seen, but any wild bird species can potentially transmit H5N1 to cats.  

We are in a rural county, and we occasionally receive a stray chicken or two that are a nusiance issue. How do you recommend that we handle this situation moving foward? 

Observe the bird(s) for signs of H5N1.  Any bird with signs should be quarantined and tested. If you live in an area where h5N1 has been detected in birds recently, the bird should be quarantined and tested.  

what do the neurologic symptoms look like as compared to say neuro FIP? how to differentiate 

We're unable to make a definitive diagnosis of neurologic disease based on clinical signs. While a neurologic cat is more likely to have FIP than H5N1, it's important to evaluate the cat's history and progression of clinical signs which can help to raise or lower your index of suspicion. 

Who is in charge of tracking H5N1 now? Can we rely on reporting of cat cases or those in other pets continuing? 

National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL) report H5N1 cases on this website. While the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has been halted as on 1/8/25, i haven't seen reports that state veterinarians or the NVSL have been affected. 

Does IDEXX have a diagnostic test for H5N1 in cats?  I believe they have one for poultry. 

  Because this is a reportable disease, if you suspect a cat may have H5N1, contact your state animal health official. Most state labs test for influenza A.  

 IDEXX offers influenza A testing and subtyping in the U.S. and Canada. 

How are commerical hens flocks getting infected if everyone is changing into wearing protective clothing and filters on all incoming air? 

 This is likely happening due to  poultry who are subclinical carriers of the virus or inadequate biosecurity protocols. 

What about shelters with catios? Should we stop using them? 

 Best practice is to ensure that catios are protected from bird access and bird droppings in the enclosure.  

Small rescues usually take in cats from their communities, however, there are larger rescues that get grants to take in cats from some of these high risk areas…can't they be exposing our community cats to the flu due to their grant status??

Currently, the risk of bird flu in cats is extremely low; however, yes there is an extremely small possibility (as of 2/12/25) that a cat being transported could have H5N1. The risk other diseases like panleukopenia and ringworm is much higher. Organizations who are transporting in cats must consider the risk of infectious diseases and use protocols (quarantine, vaccination, sanitation) to reduce the risk of spread, if disease occurs.  At this time, we don't recommend altering transport protocols other than heightening awareness of signs that could be consistent with H5N1. 

I was told that in NC, all cats that are submitted for Rabies testing are also submitted for H5N1 testing? We only submit the head for testing... Should we start submitting the whole body? 

 Please contact your state animal health official for recommendations on sample submission. Early findings suggest that liver and brain are possibly the most sensitive tissues for detection post-mortem. 

If a cat is in shelter they just have been housed with the cat that may have it why do we have to quarantine the other cats if saying it's not passed to cat to cat. Also is it passing to human to cat why would It not pass to cats. 

  There's evidence of cat to cat spread of avian influenza in Asia over a decade ago. Cat to cat spread has also occurred experimentally.  Thus far we don't have evidence of cat to cat transmission in the United States. This doesn't mean it can't happen; however, we don't have evidence that it has happened in the US.  Quarantining a cat who has been exposed to a cat with avian influenza is a safety measure because of the potential for cat to cat transmission.  Quarantine of exposed cats should follow public health guidelines – usually at least 7 days, but follow your state animal health official's recommendation. 

 Is it appropriate to strongly discourage feeding raw food and unpasteurized milk? 

Yes, people and animals should not ingest raw milk or raw or freeze-dried chicken.  Poultry must be cooked to recommended temperatures, to kill the virus.

How are birds acquiring the virus? Consumption of raw food sources  or is it transmitted bird to bird? 

The virus is spread via direct bird to bird contact or exposure to droppings or shared food/water sources. 

 How likely are back yard poultry to be exposed to the bird flu?  

Backyard poultry are at risk if they might be exposed to infected birds, bird droppings or if wild birds eat or drink from the same food/water sources as backyard poultry. 

What are the specifics of attributing indoor cat deaths to eating raw poultry? What kind of raw poultry commercial foods were involved-refrigerated or frozen meat or freeze-dried poultry meat? Is there tracing of the poultry source to confirm that birds were infected and culled or are these cases that show that otherwise healthy birds raised for commercial raw cat food are unknown carriers of bird flu at a level that can sicken and kill cats? 

 Because birds can be asymptomatic carriers or sometimes illness is undetected, there is the potential for H5N1 in raw, frozen or freeze-dried poultry. The US Food & Drug Administration is recommending that pet food manufacturers consider H5N1 in their food safety plans.  

Is there any correleation with age of the cat?  Neurologic kittens? 

Cats of any age can become infected with H5N1. A kitten who comes to our shelter with cerebellar signs is much more likely to have cerebellar hypoplasia than avian influenza; however, if we don't have historical information about the kitten, the safest thing to do is to contact your state animal health official. When we do have historical information, we can ask the questions listed in this document which will raise or lower our suspicion with an individual cat.  

I assume it's a good idea in general for colony caretakers/rescue folks/vets etc., to be current on REGULAR FLU vaccines -- to lower chance of if they get infected with both regular flu and H5N1, lower chance of reassortment 

While standard flu vaccines won't protect us against H5N1, the Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over six months of age should get a flu vaccine. Here's an article from Worms and Germs about this topic.  

We're working with a cat in a country with limited diagnostics and limited pet food sources. After 5 months of no success addressing her skin problems, the vets now think it relates to food allergies.  There is wild boar and venison raw rood available for her as "allergy food". How dangerous would these be to try?   Avian flu has been seen in birds in this and surrounding countries for at least a decade. 

There has been limited evidence of H5N1 in cattle muscles. Deer and pigs can also potentially carry H5N1.  So while the risk is extremely low, it is not zero. The safest thing to do would be to cook the raw food.  

We had a cat with suspected H5N1 that passed away here in California and, at the suggestion of our vet, we reached out to multiple state and county departments, as well as UC Davis, about advice or next steps. For example, who might want to test the cat or track this cat/info and every single place said they didn't know why I was calling and that there wasn't anywhere, any department, any agency, or any research facility in CA to reach out to about this. Is there a list of places I maybe should have tried? What are our testing or reporting obligations? 

You are required to report H5N1, actual or suspect cases.  Contact your state animal health official if you have a cat you suspect may have H5N1. If you're unable to reach your state animal health official, you could try contacting one of the shelter medicine programs in this document.  

Our suburb (pop. 66,000) is considering allowing residents to maintain chicken coops in their backyards.  Would it be better to wait until things are clearer about bird flu?  Or are their bird flu restrictions that should be written into the ordinance? 

  There is certainly a risk that backyard poultry could become infected with H5N1. Here are some recommendations to mitigate risk. 

If a cat comes in showing neuro signs and we have to test for rabies, but tests negative, would the lab then test for H5N1? 

Please contact your lab to get the answer to this question.  

For cats that survive, would they be asymptomatic carriers?  Do they mount effective antibodies again the virus? but can they still shed the virus  

Studies have demonstrated (see this review) that some cats have antibodies to H5N1. Cats can also potentially be asymptomatic carriers or have only mild signs.  Cats that survive and fully recover are at extremely low risk of transmitting the virus.

Are there any cases of community cats getting sick from black vultures 

Not that I've seen, but any wild bird species can potentially transmit H5N1 to cats.  

We are in a rural county, and we occasionally receive a stray chicken or two that are a nusiance issue. How do you recommend that we handle this situation moving foward? 

Observe the bird(s) for signs of H5N1.  Any bird with signs should be quarantined and tested. If you live in an area where h5N1 has been detected in birds recently, the bird should be quarantined and tested.  

what do the neurologic symptoms look like as compared to say neuro FIP? how to differentiate 

We're unable to make a definitive diagnosis of neurologic disease based on clinical signs. While a neurologic cat is more likely to have FIP than H5N1, it's important to evaluate the cat's history and progression of clinical signs which can help to raise or lower your index of suspicion.