Could Cats Be a New Route for Bird Flu Transmission?

A study published on December 11, 2024, indicates that domestic cats might present a concerning new avenue for the H5N1 bird flu virus to adapt and potentially become more dangerous. The virus has reportedly circulated among dairy cattle over the past year, leading to numerous cat fatalities, especially on farms with affected herds. To date, there have been at least 60 recorded human infections, primarily in individuals who had close contact with infected livestock or poultry.

Currently, H5N1 demonstrates limited ability to transmit between humans; however, research suggests that a few critical mutations could change this dynamic. While experts have stated that there is no direct evidence of cats transmitting H5N1 to people, the possibility remains if a cat were to become co-infected with both H5N1 and a seasonal flu virus. This co-infection could enable the H5N1 virus to gain mutations that would facilitate human-to-human transmission.

Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, a veterinary microbiologist from the University of Pittsburgh and lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of heightened surveillance for H5N1 in domestic cats, which frequently interact with both humans and wildlife. Despite prior limitations in testing for the bird flu virus among dairy cows and humans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced plans to start testing the national milk supply to identify potentially infected herds.

This research underscores the necessity for vigilance in monitoring avian flu viruses, particularly as new potential transmission vectors emerge in unexpected places like our homes.