(NewsNation) — A deadly strain of avian bird flu has been ravaging American farms for the past 2 1/2 years, and now, it's spreading to one of America's most popular pets.
Since the start of the outbreak, H5N1 bird flu has taken out more than 100 million birds and 191 dairy farm herds and has infected at least 13 farm workers, according to the University of California, Davis. All human cases were mild and believed to have spread directly from infected animals to people.
But recent reports say the influenza strain seen in dairy cows has now spread to indoor pet cats.
Since the H5N1 influenza outbreak, at least 21 domestic cats have reportedly been infected, according to the New York Times.
The Colorado Department of Public Health confirmed earlier this month that there have been six cat infections in the state so far this year.
One of the six infections was directly linked to a dairy facility in the state that had seen the infection in cattle.
However, two of the cases were discovered in indoor cats that had no direct exposure to the virus, the press release said.
The remaining three cats were indoor-outdoor cats that were known to have hunted mice and other small animals, including birds.
Veterinary experts believe most of the cases were linked to dairy farm outbreaks. According to a USA Today report, the bird flu strain could have also been transmitted through mice in and around homes that act as carriers for the disease.
Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, said domestic cats provide a potential pathway for the disease to spread to humans.
“We looked at the global distribution and spread of bird flu infections in feline species between 2004 and 2024 and found a drastic rise in reports of feline infections starting in 2023, with a spike in infections reported among domestic cats, as opposed to wild or zoo-kept animals. This increase coincides with the rapid spread of the current strain of H5N1 among mammals,” Coleman said.
Coleman said the fatality rate for this current H5N1 strain in cats has been around 67%, and while it's more common for cats associated with infected dairy farms to contract the illness, she recommends keeping cats indoors and away from birds and mice.
“The virus is going to sneak up in more places, just like it did in dairy farms. We know cats are being infected, so let’s get ahead of it,” Coleman states.
