A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that two cats in Michigan dairy workers’ households died after contracting bird flu, but the cause of infection remains unclear.
According to veterinary experts, the report lacks detail on whether people can spread the virus to domestic cats or vice versa. “I don’t think there is any way of concluding that there was human-to-cat transmission based on the data that is presented,” said Dr. Diego Diel of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The two cats died after developing severe illnesses, with one cat belonging to a worker who had reported symptoms of illness before it got sick. The other cat lived in a different household and belonged to a dairy worker who frequently splashed milk on their face and clothing.
Experts say that the dairy workers declined testing for H5N1, making it impossible to determine whether they transmitted the virus to their cats directly. Instead, they believe the cats were infected through contact with contaminated clothing or boots.
The study concludes that while reports of bird flu infections in indoor cats are rare, such cats may pose a risk for human infection. This new report highlights the need for more comprehensive testing for H5N1 in all areas.
In recent months, there have been several reports of domestic cats becoming infected and dying after consuming unpasteurized milk or pet food contaminated with bird flu.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/02/michigan-dairy-workers-cats-died-from-bird-flu-but-its-not-clear-how-they-got-sick.html