Two indoor cats in Michigan have tested positive for bird flu, marking a rare case of the virus infecting household pets without direct contact with infected farms.
Both cats lived in homes with dairy workers who may have been exposed to infected livestock. The animals developed serious respiratory and neurological symptoms. One cat was euthanized after its condition rapidly worsened. Genetic tests later confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus. The strain matched those recently found in local dairy cattle.
These infections are unusual. Bird flu has been found in cats on U.S. farms before, but typically in animals that were exposed to infected poultry or raw dairy products. According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is one of the first known instances where infected cats had no direct exposure to affected farms.
The cats’ owners worked in dairy-related jobs. One handled unpasteurized milk from outbreak sites, while the other worked directly on a dairy farm. Although neither was tested for bird flu, other household members tested negative.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Mid-Michigan District Health Department launched an investigation. They urged veterinarians to ask about pet owners’ job history, especially when animals show respiratory or neurological signs in areas with known livestock outbreaks.
Veterinarians are also advised to wear protective gear and report suspected infections to health authorities. While the CDC said the risk of cats spreading bird flu to humans is low, the possibility exists and should not be ignored.
Officials are reminding farmworkers to take precautions before returning home. This includes removing work clothes and boots, and washing off any residue such as milk or feces, to prevent accidental spread of the virus.
More research is needed to fully understand how bird flu moves between humans, animals, and pets. In the meantime, public health agencies are urging caution and continued monitoring to prevent wider spread.
