A recent detection of bird flu in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay has prompted health officials to warn pet owners in San Mateo County about the risks. The infected cat, brought by its owner to a veterinarian, was found to have H5N1 virus.
According to county officials, the infection is unrelated to an earlier outbreak at a backyard poultry flock in San Mateo. However, they noted that cats can catch bird flu if they eat contaminated food or water. This comes after reports of dozens of cats contracting bird flu since March 2024, as per the American Veterinary Medical Association.
To protect their pets, cat owners are advised to avoid feeding raw diets, keep them indoors, and separate them from livestock and poultry. If your pet shows symptoms like fever, low appetite, or difficulty breathing, monitor its health closely.
The US has been dealing with a bird flu outbreak since 2023, infecting millions of birds and dairy cows nationwide. So far, 67 human cases have been reported, mostly among agricultural workers, with one fatality. California has seen 38 human cases, including two children who recovered from the virus.
Health officials stress that bird flu poses no serious threat to the general population and has not shown signs of transmission between humans.
Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/bird-flu-detected-half-moon-bay-stray-cat-20152396.php