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Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Improving the health of animals, animal populations and wildlife

Testing cats for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at the AHDC

 

Updated January 23, 2025

The current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak has caused unprecedented mortality in wild and domestic poultry, and illness and death in a variety of mammals, mainly wild carnivores.1 In March 2024, HPAI was detected in dairy cattle, with large amounts of virus shed in milk.2 In November and December 2024, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Agriculture recalled multiple batches of raw milk and raw poultry products that tested positive for HPAI.3–7 There have been reports of HPAI in domestic house cats that had ingested these products. Reported clinical signs of HPAI in cats include anorexia, fever, neurologic signs due to encephalitis, respiratory signs due to pneumonia, and death in some cases. Very high HPAI viral loads in domestic cats have been documented in the brain, and lesser amounts of virus in the lung, liver and gastrointestinal tract have been described in recent literature regarding HPAI in domestic cats.2,8–10 Best practices for sampling from live cats have not been established.10

Veterinarians examining neurologic cats, and/or cats that have a history compatible with HPAI, including but not limited to ingestion of raw milk or meat (both poultry and beef), interaction with dead or sick birds (wild or domestic), or farm cats, can submit samples to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) for HPAI PCR testing.

Samples to consider submitting from a live cat include:

  • Urine in a sterile container
  • Oropharyngeal (preferred) or nasal swab from both nares in a plain sterile container such as a red top tube or viral transport media
  • EDTA whole blood in a purple top tube

Optional additional sample:

  • Rectal swab in a plain sterile container such as a red top tube or viral transport media

The test code for HPAI testing in cats is AIPCR. In the case of deceased cats suspect of HPAI, veterinarians are encouraged to submit the entire carcass for necropsy; please note necropsy charges will apply.

Concerns regarding pet food potentially contaminated by HPAI should be reported through the FDA safety reporting portal.

Veterinarians can contact Veterinary Support Services 607-253-3900 or vetsupport@cornell.edu with questions regarding testing. 

References

  1. HPAI Detections in Mammals. APHIS USDA. Accessed April 4, 2024.
  2. Caserta LC, Frye EA, Butt SL, et al. Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle. Nature 2024.
  3. Morasch Meat Recalls Northwest Naturals Brand 2 Lb Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food—Tested Positive for H5N1 Strain of HPAI Virus. Accessed January 3, 2025.
  4. Health D of P. California Department of Public Health. Accessed January 3, 2025.
  5. Positive avian flu bulk-tank tests prompt another raw-milk recall in California. CIDRAP 2024. Accessed January 3, 2025.
  6. LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES. Accessed December 13, 2024.
  7. CDFA - Public Affairs - CDFA ANNOUNCES RECALL OF RAW MILK PRODUCED AT “VALLEY MILK SIMPLY BOTTLED” OF STANISLAUS COUNTY. Accessed January 3, 2025.
  8. Burrough ER, Magstadt DR, Petersen B, et al. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus Infection in Domestic Dairy Cattle and Cats, United States, 2024. Volume 30, Number 7—July 2024. Accessed December 13, 2024.
  9. Chothe SK, Srinivas S, Misra S, et al. Marked Neurotropism and Potential Adaptation of H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4.b Virus in Naturally Infected Domestic Cats. Emerging Microbes & Infections 2024; 0:2440498.
  10. Moore K. Influenza A (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1) in domestic cats. CVMA 2024. Accessed January 3, 2025.