A message from the Director of the Cornell Feline Health Center regarding the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak and its impact on cats.

January 10, 2025

Dear friends, 

In March of 2024, a group of scientists from the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center, in collaboration with other veterinary diagnostic labs, reported on the discovery of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (H5N1) infections in dairy cattle and cats on dairy farms in Kansas and Texas. Based upon the genetic similarity of the H5N1 strains found in affected cats and cows (and their milk) and epidemiological information collected in the affected farms, the presumption was that the affected cats most likely became infected by drinking raw milk from infected cows.

In April of 2024, the CDC confirmed what is believed to be the first documented case of H5N1 transmission from a mammal to a human in a dairy farm worker.

By end of 2024, H5N1 had been detected in 916 dairy farms across sixteen states, and sporadic cases of presumed dairy cow-to-human H5N1 infections have been reported. Numerous domestic and wild feline H5N1 infections have also been documented, including the unfortunate loss of twenty big cats in a sanctuary in Washington.

Clearly, vigilance regarding the incidence of H5N1 infections in dairy cows, cats, other wildlife, and people continues to be vital to protect animal, human, and ecosystem health and welfare.

In December of 2024, the Oregon Department of Health and the Los Angeles County Office of Public Health issued warnings prompted by the death of two indoor-only domestic cats (one from each locale) that died after eating commercial raw cat foods that were subsequently tested in State and university veterinary diagnostic laboratories and found to contain the same strain of H5N1 virus that was identified in the deceased cat in each case. The case from Oregon had consumed a turkey-based raw food produced by Northwest Naturals and the case from Los Angeles had eaten a raw food of unreported type that had been produced by Monarch Raw Pet Foods.

These recent reports have prompted a voluntary recall of 2 lb. bags of Northwest Natural Feline Turkey recipe with best by dates of 5/21/26 B10 and 6/23/26 B1. While Los Angeles Public Health has advised consumers against feeding their cats Monarch Raw Foods pending further investigation, no product recalls have been announced by Monarch Pet Foods.

These reports highlight two important issues regarding H5N1 as it pertains to feline health. The first is that careful monitoring for infections and effective response through strategic collaboration among veterinary professionals, regulatory/public health officials, and an informed cat-loving public is crucial. The second is that feeding cats raw foods is not worth the risk of exposure to potential contaminants that might be present in these products, which include disease causing bacteria, parasites, and the recently demonstrated H5N1.

You can find out more about the current US H5N1 avian flu situation by visiting our resource page below, and staying up to date by following us on social media. 

Dr. Bruce Kornreich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Director
Cornell Feline Health Center

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