03/23/2025
Good information about Avian Influenza and how to protect your pets.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, bird flu) was detected in two cats and a suspected third cat over the past two months in New York City after consuming raw food. Testing for these NYC cases of HPAI were performed at the Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and confirmatory testing done by the U.S.D.A. National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVLS) is pending. The cats were hospitalized and two of them died as a result of their infection.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation involving the recent identification of two cats presumptively diagnosed with HPAI in New York City. We will utilize all of our resources to rapidly disseminate information pertaining to these cases to both veterinary professionals and the cat-loving public as we become aware of it. In the interim, cat owners can help protect their cats from HPAI infections by refraining from feeding their cats foods containing any raw dairy or meat (poultry and beef) products," says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center.
Tips for pet owners:
• Avoid feeding pets raw food or raw milk
• If you pet has eaten raw food and shows sign of sickness, call your vet immediately and isolate from other pets (see clinical signs below).
• Keep your cats indoors
• If you are walking your dog, avoid dead or sick animals
Clinical signs in cats may include the following:
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Neurologic signs (ataxia, circling, tremors, seizures, sudden blindness)
• Copious oculonasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
For more information visit the Cornell University Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Resource Center, linked below.
https://hubs.ly/Q03c92vF0
You can read the full NYC Health Department press release by clicking the link below.
https://hubs.ly/Q03c97kB0
