While bird flu viruses typically affect wild migratory water birds and domestic poultry, it’s important to note that it can also infect other animals. In the past, these viruses have occasionally spread to both wild and domestic mammals, particularly those that consume or remain in close continual contact with birds or poultry, including cows, seals, bears, foxes, cats and dogs.
According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation, H5N1, which is currently the most prevalent strain of the virus, is on the rise in cats. Since 27th June 2023, 34 domestic cats across eight provinces in Poland, tested positive for avian influenza H5N1. The source of exposure to the virus is unknown and epizootic investigations are currently ongoing.
Avian flu in domestic cats
Avian influenza in cats is deemed a low risk and can occur for several reasons. This includes direct or indirect contact with infected birds or their environments, eating infected birds, or eating food contaminated with the virus. In some instances – like the recent case in Poland- it can be challenging to determine the reason for cats being exposed to avian influenza.
There are several cases of avian influenza in cats that have been confirmed across the globe, including Poland, Germany and Austria.
Symptoms of bird flu in cats can include:
- Rapid death
- Conjunctivitis
- Lethargy
- Fever (a temperature greater than 37.8°C or 100°F)
- Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
It has also been recorded that cats can experience neurological signs (disorders of the nervous system) when infected by avian influenza. This includes circling and ataxia – disorders which affect balance, speech and coordination.
Avian flu in dogs
Dogs are not typical carriers of avian influenza, but there have been isolated cases of them contracting the disease. For instance, in 2006, a dog in Thailand tested positive for avian influenza after consuming a duck that had been infected with the virus.
Although the likelihood of dogs contracting avian influenza remains minimal, it’s crucial for dog owners to maintain vigilance. This involves closely observing your dogs when they’re outdoors, preventing them from consuming or coming into contact with sick or deceased birds, and carefully monitoring their behaviour. Taking necessary preventive measures is of utmost importance.
Clinical signs to monitor of avian flu in dogs:
- Conjunctivitis (eye tearing, redness, irritation, or discharge from eye)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever (a temperature greater than 37.8°C or 100°F)
- Chills
- Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhoea
Owners have been warned by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to keep dogs on leashes. The case in Poland contributes to the prompt warning of the public to protect their pets from avian influenza.
The ESFA stated that: “Possible measures are keeping dogs on a leash, and confining cats indoors in areas where extensive circulation of HPAI viruses in wild birds has been confirmed.”
Preventing avian flu in pets
Pet owners are advised to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of avian spreading, and infecting their animals. A simple method is to keep the animals indoors wherever possible. In response to the rising cases of avian influenza in the United Kingdom since 2021, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recommended that cat owners within any 3km protection zone, should keep their cats indoors, and additionally stating that “pet owners should aim to keep their cats indoors and exercise their dogs on a lead. This is for the protection of your animals and is not for public health purposes.”
Other methods of protection include, but not limited to:
- Seeking advice from a vet if you are concerned about the health of your animal(s)
- Washing or sanitising your hands before and after handling your pets
- Regularly clean and disinfect anything your pet uses
- Keep food, drinking water and supplies secure and out of reach from rodents and wild animals
Avian flu in mammals
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOHA) there is also a rising number of H5N1 outbreaks in mammals. Since 2015, there have been reports of avian influenza outbreaks in mammals in 11 countries, across three continents. This includes farmed mink in Spain testing positive for bird flu in October 2022, sea lions contracting bird flu in Peru and Chile and infected seals in the USA and UK. A number of other mammals have also been affected, including tigers, bears, coyotes and leopards.
Dr Gregorio Torres, Head of the Science Department at the World Organisation for Animal Health declared that “There is a recent paradigm change in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza which has heightened global concern as the disease spread to new geographical regions and caused unusual wild bird die-offs, and alarming rise in mammalian cases.”
Be vigilant against avian influenza
Stay informed about the latest and past confirmed cases of avian influenza in the UK through the Livetec Systems App – and find out in seconds if you fall within a protection or surveillance zone, so you can take all the necessary precautions to protect your pets.
Download it for free here.
