What is it?

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an influenza type A virus that occurs naturally in aquatic birds. This flu virus, like all flu viruses, can mutate from time to time to something called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI. HPAI can infect species other than aquatic birds such as poultry and even mammals.

Why is this featured so prominently in the news?

The current outbreak of HPAI began in North America in November 2021. It most likely ended up here from migratory birds and it has decimated the poultry industry. Because of the ability of viruses to mutate, an outbreak of HPAI also affected dairy cattle in March 2024. Since the outbreak in dairy cattle, dozens of cats contracted the virus including barn cats, feral cats, and big cats in zoos and in the wild. Two feral cats tested positive for HPAI in Hunterdon County, New Jersey at the end of February 2025.

How do cats become infected?

  1. They consume raw colostrum and other unpasteurized dairy products (like cream)
  2. They’re exposed to infected wild birds or poultry
  3. They’re exposed to infected livestock and their environments
  4. They’re exposed to people who work on affected farms and to their clothing

You can see a pattern here: It’s generally barn cats or feral cats that are most likely to become infected.

What are the clinical signs of Avian Flu?

Illness may start with loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever, then quickly progress, with cats exhibiting:

  1. Neurologic signs such ataxia (incoordination), circling, tremors, seizures, and/or blindness
  2. Severe lethargy
  3. Heavy discharge from the nose and eyes
  4. Other respiratory signs, including rapid or difficulty breathing, and possibly sneezing or coughing

Note that the above clinical signs are non-specific and can be signs of other diseases such as Feline Herpes Virus. As such, it is always important to see your veterinarian when any of these symptoms are present.

How is Avian Flu treated?

There is no specific treatment for HPAI in cats except for symptomatic care, nor is there a vaccine currently available.

What do I do to protect my cat(s)?

  1. Do not feed cats raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products and avoid feeding any raw or undercooked meat treats or diets that are not made specifically for cats by licensed manufacturers.
  2. Keep cats indoors to prevent exposure to birds and other wildlife.
  3. Keep cats away from livestock, poultry, and their environments.
  4. Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other wildlife yourself.
  5. Thoroughly wash your hands after any encounters with poultry, livestock, or wild birds and other animals.
  6. Change your clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin, after interacting with sick or dead animals that may harbor the Avian Influenza, and before interacting with your cat.

What about dogs? Can they contract Avian Flu?

Yes, dogs can contract HPAI, but the incidence is very, very low. The clinical signs are the same as cats and pet owners should follow the same guidelines for protecting them as we do with cats.

Can I get sick from Avian Flu?

Yes, it’s possible we may become infected through exposure to infected animals. It is very uncommon but does happen, typically involving close or prolonged exposure to infected poultry or dairy cows, and not through exposure to sick cats or dogs. There have been 70 documented cases of human HPAI infection. All 70 cases have been linked to exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, and one person has died. People with weak or compromised immune systems are more at risk of severe disease, which was the case with the one person who died. The risk of us catching HPAI from infected cats or dogs is considered extremely low. There have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission. As long as we maintain proper hygiene, i.e., thoroughly washing our hands and changing clothes and shoes after interacting with sick or dead animals, we should be okay. Be smart and use common sense!

About the Author: Dr. Eric Steinberg is a veterinarian practicing at Longevity Veterinary Center in NJ. He has more than 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine for small animals.