A feral cat from Hunterdon County in New Jersey has been confirmed with the first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or “bird flu,” in a domesticated animal. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, the cat developed severe disease and was humanely euthanized.
Other cats on the same property were also reported ill, and one additional indoor-outdoor cat tested positive for H5 HPAI. However, the overall public health risk remains low at this time. The New Jersey Department of Health is working closely with local authorities to monitor individuals who have been in contact with these cats.
Cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI, and potential exposure sources include consuming raw milk or undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals, or exposure to contaminated clothing or items. Local residents should be aware of clinical signs such as loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, discharge from the eyes and mouth, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, seizures, circling, wobbling gait, and blindness.
The New Jersey Department of Health advises residents to contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their cat may have H5 bird flu. To prevent spread of disease, residents are advised to keep cats indoors, avoid feeding raw milk or undercooked meat, and thoroughly wash hands after handling cats or interacting with poultry, livestock, or wild birds.
The state’s agricultural industry is taking precautions to prevent exposure by wild animals, and the Department of Environmental Protection continues to work closely with federal partners to track and respond to avian flu in wild birds. Residents are advised to report sick or dead wild birds and poultry to the relevant authorities.
Source: https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2025/approved/20250228a.shtml