As the landscape of avian influenza type A (H5N1) continues to evolve, it has become increasingly important for shelters, rescues, community cat organizations, and access-to-care clinics to stay informed and prepared. The spread of H5N1 to domestic cats in the U.S. represents a significant shift, with confirmed cases across multiple states. This page compiles essential resources designed to support animal welfare professionals in monitoring, responding to, and managing potential H5N1 infections in feline populations.
Stay Informed
“Recommendations for Monitoring and Response to Possible Infections with Avian Influenza Type A (H5N1) in Cats for Shelters, Rescues, and Access-to-Care Clinics“ is a living document updated in real-time by a national working group of shelter medicine experts from UF and other universities. This document provides new guidelines and protocols and information becomes available.
Another frequently updated source of information is the Worms and Germs Blog by Dr. Scott Weese at Ontario Veterinary College’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses.
A map by USDA reporting Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals reports cases as they are confirmed. The document states, “Cats, as well as other scavenging or carnivorous species, are typically dead-end hosts for this avian influenza virus, meaning that, with rare exceptions such as transmission among family groups or where they roost together, they are not significantly involved in onward transmission. Due to the increased interest in cats associated with the HPAI dairy event, we are including all known positive Influenza A H5N1 detections in the domestic cat species PRIOR TO March 1, 2024.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the UF Shelter Medicine Program
1. What is bird flu?
- Bird flu refers to the H5N1 avian influenza virus that is highly pathogenic for birds
- Wild birds, ducks and geese, and poultry are the natural host species for infection
- First discovered in geese in China in 1996 and has been infecting birds and poultry around the world since
- Caused high mortality in wild birds, ducks and geese, commercial poultry farms, and backyard bird flocks in all 50 states since 2022
- The host range has expanded to a large variety of mammals, including rodents, marine mammals, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, weasels, rabbits, bears, coyotes, foxes
- For the first time since 1996, H5N1 infection was documented in dairy cattle in Texas in March 2024
and has spread to nearly 1000 dairy herds in 16 states to date.
2. How is bird flu spread?
- H5N1 flu virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, feces, urine, and milk (dairy cattle)
- Direct contact with infected animals or environments contaminated by infected animals
3. Can cats be infected by H5N1 avian flu virus?
- Cats are very susceptible to H5N1 infection. This includes domestic cats, exotic species (tigers, lions, leopards, others), and wild species (mountain lions, bobcats)
- First documented in 14 cats fed raw chickens infected with H5N1 virus, followed by thousands of cats in Asia and Europe, and a dramatic spike in cat infections globally since 2023
- First domestic cat infections in the US detected in 2022 and 2023 in outdoor cats in Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and more than 100 infected cats from Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 in 16 states,
- Most cats had access to infected poultry and dairy farms or contaminated meat and dairy products
4. Can cats be infected by H5N1 avian flu virus via their diet?
- Fatal and severe infections have been reported in cats fed raw milk and raw meat from both commercial and non-commercial sources
- Freeze-drying does not kill the H5N1 virus. High-pressure processing/pasteurization may reduce, but may not entirely eliminate, risk
- H5N1 does not survive cooking or heat pasteurization
- Regularly check the FDA’s list and your state’s list of recalled foods
5. What should community cat management and trap-neuter-return programs do?
- Move feeding stations away from bodies of water where wild birds may congregate
- Feed in a way to does not attract multiple domestic and wild species to feed together
- Monitor for cats showing respiratory or neurological signs
- Wear full PPE when caring for sick or exposed cats
- Continue TNR programs for healthy cats
- Screen cats signed up for spay/neuter clinics by asking about risk factors and handle at-risk cats at the end of the day
- Did this cat come from a farm with cows or chickens?
- Has this cat been around any sick or dead birds?
- Has this cat been around any sick or dead cats?
- Has this cat eaten any raw meat or dairy products?
- Has this cat had any respiratory or eye problems?
- Has this cat had any neurological issues such as confusion, weakness, staggering, blindness, or paralysis?
- Has this cat been near someone with bird flu?
- Read more at Precautions for Community Cat Management Programs
Read more FAQs…
UF Shelter Medicine Program Guides for Shelters and Organizations Caring for Cats
- Precautions for Shelters: Guidance on assessing risks, identifying symptoms, and implementing biosecurity measures.
- Precautions for Community Cat Management Programs: Recommendations for TNR programs, spay/neuter clinics, and community cat colony caretakers.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Clear, concise answers to common questions about H5N1 in cats.
- Webinar Slides: Insights from Dr. Julie Levy and Dr. Cynda Crawford’s Feb. 11, 2025, Maddie’s Fund webinar discussing H5N1’s impact on feline health and shelter operations.
- Watch the webinar recording on-demand (60 min)
Together, these materials offer a comprehensive toolkit to help animal welfare organizations respond effectively to this emerging threat.
Learn more about Disease Prevention and Response in Animal Shelters in these guidance documents from the UF Shelter Medicine Program.