Overview

• The analysis covered 607 H5N1 infections in 12 feline species across 18 countries between 2004-2024.
• Researchers identified multiple transmission routes to cats, including ingestion of sick birds or raw poultry and indirect spread from infected mammals such as dairy cows.
• Experts warn that reliance on post-mortem testing likely undercounts the true number of feline infections.
• No vaccine exists for cats and veterinarians advise keeping them indoors and avoiding raw poultry to reduce infection risk.
• The CDC maintains a very low public risk rating despite this year’s first US human fatality, reinforcing the need for vigilant monitoring of animal-contact cases.