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A recent comprehensive review by researchers at the University of Maryland highlights a growing public health concern: the rapid evolution of the H5N1 bird flu virus in cats, which could increase the risk of a human pandemic. The study, published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, documents 607 infections and 302 deaths in cats worldwide from 2004 to 2024, across 18 countries and 12 cat species, including domestic pets and wild tigers.
Cats contract the virus through multiple routes-directly by consuming infected birds or contaminated raw poultry feed, and indirectly via other mammals, such as farm cats exposed to raw milk from infected cows. The virus causes severe neurological symptoms in cats, often mistaken for rabies, and has a fatality rate of about 90% in domestic cats.
This concern is underscored by recent cases in the U.S., including the death of an Oregon house cat linked to frozen raw turkey cat food contaminated with H5N1. The FDA has responded by urging raw pet food manufacturers to reassess their safety protocols to include H5N1 as a hazard, emphasizing the need to avoid feeding pets raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products.
The virus’s presence in commercial poultry and dairy farms, coupled with infections in domestic and wild cats in states like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, signals that H5N1 is infiltrating the food supply chain. Health officials recommend thoroughly cooking meat and consuming only pasteurized dairy to reduce infection risks.
While human cases remain relatively rare-with 66 confirmed U.S. cases and one death since April 2022-scientists warn that the virus’s ability to jump species and potentially spread between humans is alarming. Cats, especially those in farms or shelters, could act as sentinels for detecting virus presence and as vectors for spillover to humans.
Public health experts emphasize vigilance and enhanced surveillance of cat populations, particularly those in high-risk environments like dairy barns, to prevent a potential pandemic stemming from this evolving virus.
Disclaimer: This article is based on current research and official health advisories as of May 2025. The situation regarding H5N1 bird flu is evolving, and readers should consult public health authorities for the latest guidance.
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