
Avian Influenza (Flu) H5N1- Should I be concerned?
Dec 30, 2024
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You've probably started hearing a bit (or a lot) about avian influenza (bird flu) in the news recently. But what are the facts and should you be worried? Should you be worried for yourself, your pets, or farm animals? Dr. Hoffman has a few answers for you and resources to learn more from. Dr. Hoffman's background: In what feels like a previous life Dr. Hoffman started her veterinary career in the wildlife world and specialized in wildlife diseases and wildlife disease outbreaks. While she now focuses on your domestic pets her love of disease research still sticks around.
Is this a new disease? Technically no, this flu version (referred to Type A H5N1, or HPAI- highly pathogenic avian influenza) has been circulating globally for 4 years. But we do have a variant circulating right now in the United States that is good at infecting a broad range of mammal species.
Which species are at risk?
Dairy Cattle: First detected in March 2024 in Texas. The dairy industry has struggled to contain the disease and as of December 18, 2024 H5N1 has been found in dairy cattle in 16 states (MI, UT, CA, TX, KS, ID, NM, OH, SD, NC, CO, MN, OK, WY, IA). Currently (Dec 29, 2024) no infected dairy cattle in Wisconsin have been identified. Cooking meat and pasteurizing milk will kill the H5N1 virus, so our food supply is deemed safe if these measures are followed.
Pigs: Yes, cases in backyard pigs have been found in Oregon. From genetic testing this seems to have been an exposure from wild migratory birds. Pigs are a species to keep an eye on for sure. They are known as a "mixing vessel" for influenza strains. Pigs can be infected with bird, human, and pig versions of influenza, and their bodies are good at mixing the genetics of these infections together and creating new strains. This hasn't happened yet with this variant of avian flu, but specialists are keeping a close eye. Since 2009 there has been a Swine Influenza Survelliance Program. They are keeping a close eye on pigs and working to prevent it from entering the swine production farms. To date they have been successful.
Birds (Domestic and Wild): At some point since 2021 H5N1 has been detected in birds in all 50 states. Currently in Wisconsin the infected flocks are in Kenosha and Barron County. There is no specific treatment for birds infected and the disease has a high mortality in birds. Â This website will give you the details as flock are found infected in Wisconsin. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx
Cats: Domestic and wild cats are very susceptible to avian influenza. Cats can be infected by exposure to infected birds or mammals, eating raw meat from infected animals, exposure to raw milk from infected cows. Cooking meat and pasteurizing milk kills the H5N1 virus.
Dogs: Potential risk of infection, but currently thought to be very low. The current recommendation is to avoid contact with dead or ill birds. Using your dog for bird hunting isn't without risk, but the risk is currently thought to be low. However it is not recommended to use dogs as search animals in a case of a bird disease outbreak or die off.
Humans: Can be infected directly from raw milk from cows, this can be from simple contact or ingestion. Can be infected by contact with infected dairy cattle, poultry, wild birds, or backyard flocks. Person to person spread has not occurred (as of Dec 29, 2024)
How can you protect your household cats?
1. Do not feed raw diets to cats currently. If you are interested in safe ways to feed raw type diets please reach out to Creekside Veterinary Clinic at 608-767-1400 and we can help you figure out a safe feeding plan while still achieving the goals you are hoping to achieve by feeding raw. www.vetcarecreekside.com
2. Keep your cats indoors to prevent direct exposure to wild birds.
3. If you are around backyard flocks be sure to wash you hands, remove your shoes, and change your clothes before greeting your feline friends. Be sure to keep any of these potentially infected items in an area your cat cannot get to.
What about the food recall? One cat has died after eating a raw diet from Northwest Naturals. Genetic testing of strains of avian flu in the food and in the cat that passed away confirmed the link. This food was sold in Wisconsin. If you have this food in your possession please contact the place of purchase and do not feed this food. https://www.nw-naturals.net/12-24-24-voluntary-product-recall/
What are the clinical signs in cats (or dogs)? Fever, Lethargy, Low appetite, Reddened or inflamed eyes, Discharge from eyes and nose, Difficulty breathing, Neurologic signs, like tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness. These symptoms can overlap many other illness, so if your cat (or dog) has been in contact with or eaten any ill or dead birds, or if they have been around infected dairy cattle or unpasteurized milk be sure to tell your veterinarian so they can get the treatment needed as soon as possible. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-h5n1-cats
Want more information? Check out these links:
https://www.avma.org/news/novel-bird-flu-strain-continues-threaten-animal-public-health (Good in-depth article)
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/influenza/avian.htm (Government recommendations)
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/disease/Avianinfluenza (DNR's information on wild birds)