The H5N1 flu is a variant of the avian flu that is making headlines due to its detection on dairy farms, with illnesses reported in cattle, cats, and rarely in dairy-farm workers. Recent surveillance has detected H5N1 in mice on some of these infected dairy farms, according to Scott Weese, DVM, of the University of Guelph.
Mice are believed to have been exposed to the virus via cow manure or milk. Barn cats have a high likelihood of being exposed to H5N1 while hunting infected mice or drinking raw cow’s milk. Infections in cats are rare, but tend to be severe and are sometimes fatal.
According to Dr. Weese, 21 cases of infected cats have been identified since the beginning of this recent dairy farm outbreak of avian flu, and while cases in cows may get more press, cats are also at risk of infection.
The H5N1 avian influenza can cause a wide range of symptoms in people, ranging from minor eye infections to respiratory problems or even severe encephalitis. The more mammalian species the virus adapts to, the greater the risk of spread among the human population.
