First feline case of bird flu confirmed in New Jersey – 69News WFMZ-TV
Ample sunshine but still chilly; winds are lighter with high pressure overhead. .
Becoming partly cloudy overnight; still cold. Updated: March 3, 2025 @ 12:50 amDigital ProducerFILE -This colorized electron microscope image released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on March 26, 2024, shows avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (yellow), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (blue). (CDC/NIAID via AP, File)TRENTON, NJ. – The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the first feline case of H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or “bird flu” in New Jersey.According to a New Jersey Department of Health press release, a feral cat from Hunterdon County developed severe symptoms including neurologic signs, and tested positive for the disease. The cat was humanely euthanized.Other cats on the same property were also reported ill. Officials say one additional indoor-outdoor cat also tested positive. There are tests still pending, and the investigation is ongoing.The New Jersey case comes after previous national reports of confirmed feline cases in other states.Officials advise caution, but say the public health risk of H5 HPAI remains low.While H5 HPAI has been detected in humans in the U.S. – primarily in individuals with close contact with infected poultry or dairy cattle – there have been no human cases reported in New Jersey, and none of the cases across the country are known to have resulted from exposure to an infected cat.Local health officials are working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health in conducting follow up and symptom monitoring on individuals that have been in contact with these cats. All exposed individuals are currently asymptomatic. Residents who have had close, unprotected contact with a cat or other animal infected with H5 HPAI should contact their local health department and monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days following their last exposure.“While the risk of H5 infection to the general population remains low at this time, it is important for people to learn more about the situation and take steps to avoid potential infection through exposure to animals, including feral cats,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. “We continue to work with state and federal partners to monitor the spread of this virus and provide public information on mitigating the risks.”Cats are particularly susceptible to H5 HPAI and often experience severe disease and high mortality when infected. Potential exposure sources of H5 HPAI for cats include consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw/undercooked meat contaminated with the virus, infected birds or other animals and their environments, or exposure to contaminated clothing or items (fomites) worn or used on affected premises.The cats tied to this incident in Hunterdon County had no known reported exposures to infected poultry, livestock, or consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk or meat, but did roam freely outdoors, so exposure to wild birds or other animals is unknown.Cats who have been infected with the virus may display the following symptoms: General signs: Loss of appetite, fever, lethargyRespiratory signs: Discharge from the eyes and mouth, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathingNeurologic signs: Seizures, circling, wobbling gait, blindness.New Jersey residents should contact their veterinarian immediately if they are concerned that their cat may have H5 bird flu. Anyone who suspects a possible exposure or who has H5 HPAI concerns about their cat should contact their veterinarian prior to bringing the cat in to be seen so that the veterinarian can take the necessary precautions to prevent spread of disease. Residents who observe a sick stray or feral cat should contact their local animal control for assistance.Veterinarians who suspect H5 HPAI in a cat should follow CDC recommendations to help protect themselves and prevent exposures, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the cats. All suspect feline cases should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-4872 or zoonoticrn@doh.nj.gov. Testing for suspect feline cases is available at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Guidance for veterinarians on specimen collection and submission can be found here.New Jersey residents can find additional information and recommendations on ways to help prevent H5 bird flu infection in cats from the American Veterinary Medical Association.Additionally, cat owners can take the following steps to help protect their pets:Do not feed cats raw (unpasteurized) milk or dairy products, and avoid feeding any raw or undercooked meat treats or diets.Keep cats indoors to prevent exposure to birds and other wildlife.Keep cats away from livestock, poultry, and their environments.Avoid contact with sick or dead birds and other wildlife yourself.Thoroughly wash your hands after handling your cat and after any encounters with poultry, livestock, or wild birds and other animals.Change your clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin, after interacting with sick or dead animals that may harbor the H5N1 virus, and before interacting with your cat.Contact a veterinarian if you notice signs of H5 HPAI or think your cat might have been exposed to the virus.“The H5N1 virus has the ability to move from one species to another,” New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn said. “That is why we have worked closely with our poultry and dairy industries on biosecurity measures to prevent exposure by wild animals, and feral cats are another example of the risks to livestock and humans.”“Despite low risk to the public, avian influenza is believed to be present in wild birds in all of New Jersey’s counties,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “The Department of Environmental Protection continues to work closely with state and federal partners to track and respond to avian flu in wild birds and keep the public informed.”If you find sick or dead wild birds, do not handle them. Contact the NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP.To report sick or dead poultry, do not handle them. Contact the NJDA Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.For more information, go to NJ.gov/H5N1Digital Producer
Watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
