Two dairy workers in Michigan may have transmitted bird flu to their pet cats last May, according to a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings suggest that infected farmworkers could be bringing the virus home to their cats through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
A single data table from the study briefly appeared online in January but was quickly removed. However, experts are now calling for its release due to concerns about farmworker refusal to test. A delayed communication pause by the CDC led to the delay in publication, leaving key questions unanswered.
The investigation began when two cats in the same household showed respiratory and neurological symptoms, testing positive for H5N1, a type of bird flu. The owners were dairy workers, with one experiencing vomiting and diarrhea before their cat became ill. Another farmworker was splashed with milk and experienced eye irritation.
In one household, the first cat to become ill quickly deteriorated, while the second cat recovered without being tested for the virus. Experts say it’s unclear how the cats became infected but believe the farmworkers likely brought the virus home from work.
Six days after the first cat became sick, an adolescent in the same household developed a cough and body aches. The delay in testing may have affected the outcome of this case. Another pet cat in a different household later died with severe neurological symptoms, also testing positive for H5N1.
The CDC study highlights the risk of bird flu transmission to pets through contaminated surfaces or objects, particularly raw milk. Experts emphasize the need for veterinarians and pet owners to remain vigilant in detecting potential cases.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/health/bird-flu-cats-michigan.html