A recent study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that two cats owned by Michigan dairy workers succumbed to bird flu infection. The report highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the source of the illness and whether there was any transmission to humans within the households.
The cats, both indoor-only pets with no direct contact with infected cattle or birds, were confirmed to have contracted the Type A H5N1 bird virus typically found in U.S. dairy herds. One cat, belonging to a dairy farm worker in a county with bird flu-infected cattle, tested positive for H5N1 after displaying severe symptoms and had to be euthanized. Another cat in the same household fell ill but eventually recovered, while a third cat remained unaffected.
In a separate household, the second cat that died belonged to a dairy worker who handled raw milk and reported experiencing eye irritation, a potential symptom of bird flu, shortly before the cat's illness. The cat passed away within a day of showing signs of infection, despite another cat in the household testing negative for the virus.
Although the study did not definitively establish human-to-cat transmission, experts suggested that the cats likely contracted the virus from contaminated clothing, boots, or hands of the dairy workers. The report emphasized the rarity of bird flu infections in indoor cats but warned of the potential risk they might pose for human infection.
Since the incidents, there have been additional reports of domestic cats becoming infected and dying from bird flu after consuming unpasteurized milk or contaminated pet food. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive testing for H5N1 in various settings to prevent further spread of the virus.
