Avian Flu's Spread to Mammals Raises Public Health Concerns

The bird flu, now infecting multiple animal species including cats, poses a potential risk of mutation that could lead to human transmission.

Experts warn that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has infected a growing number of mammals, including cats and dairy cattle, raising concerns about its potential to mutate and spread to humans.
In New York City, activists speculate that some of the city's 500,000 stray cats may already be infected, though no cases have been confirmed in local felines so far.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that human cases of H5N1 remain rare, with no sustained human-to-human transmission yet observed, but experts caution that only a few mutations could enable such spread.
Recent cases of indoor cats contracting the virus in dairy worker households highlight zoonotic risks, though the infected workers declined testing, complicating public health investigations.
Officials urge precautions such as keeping cats indoors, avoiding raw or unpasteurized animal products, and using personal protective equipment when handling animals or their environments.