H5N1 Avian Influenza and Cats: A Status Report in 2025

A litter of 8 kittens died in the Netherlands. One kitten from a goat farm tested positive for the H5N1 virus; the others died after being adopted into different homes. The investigation suggests transmission via a wild bird brought in by the mother, while the goats and adult cats on the premises all tested negative. At the same time, a study provides the most comprehensive overview to date of H5N1 virus infections in felines, whether domestic or held in zoos. It clarifies the predominant routes of exposure (the bird-cat interface and raw food), describes a clinical spectrum ranging from respiratory disorders to neurological disorders, and emphasizes standardized clinical management in veterinary clinics. This review serves as a framework for interpreting the 2025 European epidemiological situation and public health recommendations.  

H5N1 Virus and Cats: A Review of Cases

The study compiles confirmed feline cases since the emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b and shows that exposure occurs primarily through predation on or ingestion of infected birds and, more rarely but with documented cases, through the consumption of raw products of animal origin. The clinical picture includes respiratory, digestive, and neurological disorders, which can sometimes be severe. In the absence of a specific vaccine, immediate isolation of affected cats is essential, as is the use of personal protective equipment by owners. It is recommended to keep animals indoors during the period of contagiousness and to avoid feeding them raw food.  

H5N1 Infection in Cats: Global Prevalence

Meanwhile, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the spring of 2025 in *Animals* aggregates global data and confirms the presence of feline infections linked to the same exposure contexts. The value of this study lies in its quantification, which reinforces the data published in the *Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery* and helps prioritize risk scenarios in messages to the public and veterinarians. The overall prevalence of H5N1 infection in cats is estimated at 0.7%, with high heterogeneity. Rates vary depending on the diagnostic method, region, type of cat, and time period. Higher rates are reported in domestic cats and in certain regions of Africa. An analysis of 35 published clinical cases highlights a high mortality rate (74%), primarily due to clade 2.3.4.4b, with neurological and respiratory symptoms frequently described.  

H5N1 and Cats: Stable Risk Level in Europe

Reports from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), published between March and September 2025, report moderate influenza A (H5) activity in Europe, primarily avian, with sporadic detections in cats. The recommendations remain unchanged: the risk is classified as low for the general population, but veterinarians and those working at the wildlife-domestic animal interface are urged to exercise increased vigilance, especially when avian outbreaks are active locally.  

H5N1 and Cats: Pasteurization and Raw Food

Outside Europe, during the 2024–2025 period, the most widely reported cases of infection in cats often involved raw products. Health authorities reiterate that pasteurization inactivates the virus and that tested pasteurized dairy products show no viable virus, while raw food should still be avoided for pets.  

H5N1 and Cats: Practical Guidelines

The procedure for managing infected cats in a veterinary clinic is now well standardized: remote examination to assess exposure, isolation upon arrival, use of protective equipment by the veterinary team, sample collection in accordance with best practice guidelines, transport to a laboratory, and notification to health authorities. For pet owners, the three basic recommendations are to keep cats indoors during local outbreaks of avian influenza, to avoid any contact with sick or dead birds, and to refrain from feeding them a raw diet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpages dedicated to pet owners and healthcare workers who come into contact with exposed cats outline these principles in practical fact sheets.