Rapid Response
Cornell Feline Health Center launches initiative to address growing threat of Avian Influenza in Cats
In response to the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza virus outbreak and the significant risk it poses to cats, the Cornell Feline Health Center (CFHC) at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has launched a critical initiative aimed at improving our understanding of the impact of H5N1 on domestic cats. The newly established CFHC Feline H5N1 Surveillance Consortium brings together leading researchers from across Cornell’s CVM to proactively study crucial aspects of the current outbreak that will inform broader public and animal health responses to this important feline health crisis.
This interdisciplinary initiative reflects Cornell’s commitment to advancing veterinary research that supports both animal and human health, as well as the CFHC’s mission to improve the lives of cats through research, outreach, and education.
Understanding the need for rapid response
The H5N1 avian influenza virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is a zoonotic virus of major global concern. While its impact on wild bird, poultry, and human populations has been well documented, recent outbreaks have demonstrated that dairy cattle and cats are susceptible to this variant of H5N1, and that cats experience the most severe disease of any species documented thus far. When cats get sick with H5N1 avian influenza, they get severely ill, and up to 70% of affected cats will die. Potential sources of infection for cats include exposure to infected wild birds, livestock/poultry and their environments, infected people and their clothing, and consumption of unpasteurized cow’s milk and raw meat and poultry products, including commercial raw diets. Importantly, the incidence of asymptomatic infections in cats is currently unknown.
According to the CFHC’s Director, Dr. Bruce Kornreich, DVM, Ph.D., "The virulence of infections in cats is among the most severe of all species in which infections have thus far been identified. Despite this, there is still limited understanding of how the virus spreads among cats, whether they serve as a vector to other animals or humans, and how common infections are in community cat populations.”
Given the large population of both indoor and outdoor domestic cats in the United States, especially those involved in Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) and shelter programs, experts believe cats may play an important—yet underexplored—role in the ecology of H5N1. This underscores the urgent need for active surveillance and dedicated research.
A research consortium backed by institutional expertise
The CFHC Feline Viral Surveillance Consortium is designed to leverage Cornell’s broad expertise in virology, epidemiology, pathology, and feline health. The specific aims of this phased initiative include:
- Determining the prevalence of active H5N1 infections in New York State and East Coast community cats.
- Evaluating serologic (antibody-based) evidence of H5N1 exposure in these feline populations.
- Performing genomic analysis of H5N1 viral samples obtained from cats.
- Conducting phenotypic and functional studies on the virus’s hemagglutinin (HA) protein, which plays a critical role in viral entry and infectivity.
To address these aims, a multidisciplinary team of faculty members from multiple departments at the CVM has been assembled. The team includes:
- Gary Whittaker, PhD
James Law Professor of Virology, Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Public and Ecosystem Health
Lead investigator for viral phenotypic and functional studies and overall project coordinator - Lena DeTar, DVM, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine)
Associate clinical professor of shelter medicine, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
Project Lead for surveillance - Diego Diel, DVM, MS, PhD
Associate professor, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
Director of the Virology Laboratory at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Co-lead for serologic exposure - Elisha Frye, DVM
Associate professor or practice, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
Co-lead for serologic exposure - Laura Goodman, PhD
Assistant professor, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, and Baker Institute for Animal Health
Lead for genomic analysis
These investigators bring together complementary expertise in molecular virology, veterinary public health, epidemiological surveillance, infectious disease, and shelter medicine. Their collective involvement will facilitate a scientifically robust approach that bridges multiple environments, from research laboratories to community cat colonies animal shelters and pet cats.
Building a National Surveillance Framework
The Consortium’s initial focus will be to establish a proactive surveillance program using a network of shelter populations, clinics and veterinary hospitals, first in a test population within New York State. Once logistics, surveillance and testing protocols are established, the goal is to expand surveillance for feline H5N1 and eventually other infectious diseases across the United States. Shelters and community clinics provide access to large numbers of cats with diverse backgrounds and ecological exposure, making them ideal sentinels for detecting emerging patterns of infection.
Plans are already underway to expand surveillance and testing to cats seen in clinical settings, as well as those participating in TNR, spay/neuter, and vaccination programs. By partnering with shelters, veterinary hospitals, and community groups, the CFHC aims to create a sustainable model for long-term low-impact surveillance and intervention.
The anticipated scope of the program includes the development and distribution of diagnostic kits (including swabs, transport media, and patient information forms), coordination with participating sites, and the secure handling and analysis of samples and data. Communication strategies and outreach efforts will be used to ensure effective recruitment and engagement of veterinary and shelter partners and dissemination of findings to the public.
Institutional Support Enables Swift Action
The ability to respond quickly to emerging threats like H5N1 is made possible by the CFHC’s philanthropic funding and its integration within Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell’s infrastructure, including the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, molecular biology laboratories, and public health program, provides the technical and operational backbone needed to launch and sustain such a comprehensive program.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing urgent public and animal health risks through translational research,” said Kornreich.
“By focusing on the role of cats in the ecology of H5N1, we are not only protecting feline health but also contributing vital information that may help mitigate transmission of one of the most rapidly evolving transmissible viruses to other species, including humans,” states Lorin Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D. ’94, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Looking Ahead
The data generated from this initiative is expected to inform best practices for monitoring, controlling, treating, and potentially preventing influenza and respiratory pathogen outbreaks involving cats. It will also help guide public health officials and veterinary professionals as they prepare for future zoonotic risks.
As the Consortium continues to grow and evolve, the CFHC will encourage collaboration with regional and national partners, including shelter systems, veterinary practices, academic institutions, and public health authorities.