Credit Wikipedia
#18,362
Just over a week ago (Feb 28th) we learned of an outbreak of HPAI among indoor-outdoor cats on a property in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. One cat had been euthanized, a second diagnosed as H5 positive, and according to the press release; `. . . other cats were reported ill'.
At the time the N.J. DOH reported:
Yesterday the Hunterdon County Health Department issued a follow-up statement indicating that 4 more cats on this property had tested positive for the HPAI H5 virus (see below). The county also released an infographic on the proper disposal of dead birds, to protect both humans and their pets.The cats tied to this incident in Hunterdon County had no known reported exposures to infected poultry, livestock, or consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk or meat, but did roam freely outdoors, so exposure to wild birds or other animals is unknown.
Other than the updated cases count, and assurances that all human contacts remain asymptomatic, few other specifics to this outbreak are provided. They do provide general guidance for the public, however.
First, the update, followed by the infographic. I'll have a postscript after the break.
New Jersey Department of Health Confirms Additional Feline Cases of H5/HPAI “Bird Flu”
On February 28th, the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed two cases of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) in 2 domestic cats in Hunterdon County. Other cats on the same property had been ill and additional test results were pending. Today, Hunterdon County Health Officer Karen DeMarco provided an update and reports the laboratory testing for the pending samples confirms the four additional felines also tested positive for HPAI. A total of six cats tested positive for HPAI, all six are connected on the same property.
County Commissioner and Liaison to the Department of Health Shaun C. Van Doren noted, “I am advised that the risk of H5 infection to the general population continues to remain low, but the Hunterdon County Health Department will continue to take proactive action including educating those at greater risk for exposure which includes agricultural workers.”
According to NJDOH, cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI and often experience severe disease and high mortality when infected. Potential exposure sources of H5 HPAI for cats include consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw/undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals and their environments, or exposure to contaminated clothing or items (fomites) worn or used on affected premises.
County Health Officer DeMarco added, “Health department staff are conducting daily symptom monitoring with all individuals who had close contact with the affected animals, and all are asymptomatic at this time.”
New Jersey residents should contact their veterinarian immediately if they are concerned that their cat may have H5 bird flu. Anyone who suspects a possible exposure or who has H5 HPAI concerns about their cat should contact their veterinarian prior to bringing the cat in to be seen so that the veterinarian can take the necessary precautions to prevent spread of disease. Residents who observe a sick stray or feral cat should contact their local animal control for assistance.
Veterinarians who suspect H5 HPAI in a cat should follow CDC recommendations to help protect themselves and prevent exposures, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the cats. All suspect feline cases should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-4872 or zoonoticrn@doh.nj.gov. Testing for suspect feline cases is available at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Guidance for veterinarians on specimen collection and submission can be found here.
New Jersey residents can find additional information and recommendations on ways to help prevent H5 bird flu infection in cats from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Additionally, cat owners can take the following steps to help protect their pets:
• Do not feed cats raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products and avoid feeding any raw or undercooked meat treats or diets.
• Keep cats indoors to prevent exposure to birds and other wildlife.
• Keep cats away from livestock, poultry, and their environments.
• Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other wildlife yourself.
• Thoroughly wash your hands after handling your cat and after any encounters with poultry, livestock, or wild birds and other animals.
• Change your clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin, after interacting with sick or dead animals that may harbor the H5N1 virus, and before interacting with your cat.
• Contact a veterinarian if you notice signs of H5 HPAI or think your cat might have been exposed to the virus.
NJDOH continues to work in collaboration with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the NJ Department of Agriculture (NJDA) to monitor the occurrences of H5N1 Avian Influenza and its impact in the State.
• If you find sick or dead wild birds, do not handle them. Contact NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP.
• To report sick or dead poultry, do not handle them. Contact the NJDA Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
Additional Resources
• NJ.gov - H5N1 Information: nj.gov/H5N1
• NJ Department of Health, Communicable Disease Service - Novel Influenza: nj.gov/health/cd/topics/novel_flu.shtml
• NJ Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory - Contact
Information: nj.gov/agriculture/ahdl/contact
The USDA currently lists 106 domestic cats infected with H5N1 in the United States, although this is undoubtedly a substantial undercount. Many cats die unnoticed and untested in the wild, while others may be infected but recover (see Eurosurveillance: (HPAI) H5 virus Exposure in Domestic & Rural Stray Cats, the Netherlands, October 2020 to June 2023)
We've seen other examples where a cluster of cats have died, but only 1 or 2 were tested. And while 15 states have reported H5N1 in domestic cats, 35 states have not, which suggests there may be differences in surveillance and reporting.
Although the CDC continues to rank the risk to general public from avian flu as low, they do provide very specific guidance to pet owners on how to limit their risk of infection from the virus (see What Causes Bird Flu in Pets and Other Animals).
Given the levels of HPAI H5 we are seeing reported in wild birds, livestock, and in peridomestic animals, their advice is very much worth heeding.