Two Michigan Dairy Workers’ Cats Die from Bird Flu, But How They Got Infected Remains a Mystery

Study Reveals Limited Information on Human-Cat Transmission

Two cats that belonged to Michigan dairy workers died after being infected with bird flu. However, it is still unclear how the animals got sick or whether they spread the virus to people in the household, a new study shows.

Veterinary Experts Raise Concerns

Veterinary experts have expressed concerns that the report lacks detail that could confirm whether people can spread the virus to domestic cats – or vice versa. Dr. Diego Diel of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine stated, “I don’t think there is any way of concluding that there was human-to-cat transmission based on the data that is presented.”

Cat Deaths and Symptoms

Cats in two separate households died in May after developing severe illnesses that were confirmed as the Type A H5N1 bird virus found in U.S. dairy herds, investigators reported. Both were indoor-only cats that had no exposure to infected cattle or birds and didn’t consume raw milk.

First Household

One cat that died belonged to a worker on a dairy farm in a county known to have bird flu-infected cattle. The worker reported symptoms of illness before the cat got sick. That cat fell ill, tested positive for H5N1, and had to be euthanized. A second cat in that household also got sick, but it recovered. A third cat in the household didn’t get sick and tested negative.

Second Household

The other cat that died lived in a different household. That pet belonged to a dairy worker who transported raw milk and reported frequent splashes of milk on the face, eyes, and clothing. That worker reported eye irritation, a possible symptom of bird flu, two days before the cat got sick. The cat was known to roll in the worker’s dirty clothing and died within a day of developing signs of infection. Another cat in that household tested negative for the virus.

Dairy Workers’ Refusal to be Tested

In both instances, the dairy workers declined to be tested for H5N1, making it impossible to know whether they directly transmitted the virus to their cats, according to Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Transmission Possibilities

It’s more likely that the cats were infected by virus on the workers’ clothing, boots, or hands, Poulsen said. “We know that people at this point are not shedding large amounts of virus,” he stated. “I don’t think it’s because this person coughed on their cat.”

Conclusion

The study concluded that reports of bird flu infections in indoor cats are rare, but “such cats might pose a risk for human infection.” The new report underscores the need for more comprehensive testing for H5N1 in all arenas, according to Poulsen.

FAQs

* What is bird flu?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a type of influenza that affects birds and can also infect other animals, including humans.
* Can humans transmit bird flu to domestic cats?
The study suggests that it is unclear whether humans can transmit bird flu to domestic cats or vice versa.
* How did the cats get infected?
The study does not provide clear information on how the cats got infected, but it is possible that they were infected by virus on the workers’ clothing, boots, or hands.
* Can humans get bird flu from infected cats?
The study concludes that reports of bird flu infections in indoor cats are rare, but “such cats might pose a risk for human infection.”